The world changed

The world changed for Anthony when he was around 20 years old. His parents died and it made him think very seriously about what he wanted to do with his life.

He decided to sell everything he had and to give the proceeds to the poor (after making sure that his younger sister would be educated and cared for). He eventually went out into the desert by himself, found shelter in some ruins, and devoted himself entirely to prayer and solitude.

And then the world changed – and not just for Anthony.

The government in that part of the world had been persecuting people who dared to show their Christian faith in public, imprisoning many and even executing them. There were many zealous young men who wanted to go "all the way" for the faith and these were the ones often executed and later celebrated as martyrs.

Then there was a tremendous change in the government and it was no longer dangerous to be known as a Christian. Zealous young men sought new ways to go "all the way" for the faith. Many of them came to hear about the radical Christian lifestyle that Anthony was pursuing in the desert and sought to imitate him in his imitation of Christ.

St. Anthony of Egypt came to be known as the Father of Monasticism. He died at the age of 105 in the year 356 and his memory is celebrated on this day.

(adapted from an earlier post)