January 17
St. Anthony of Egypt
A third-century Egyptian who gave away his inheritance at age twenty and became the father of Christian monasticism, living as a hermit in the desert for decades. His biography by Athanasius became one of the most widely read books in early Christianity and inspired the monastic movement across East and West. He is the patron saint of animals and gravediggers.
Why it matters for your parish:
The founder of monasticism — a cornerstone figure whose radical response to the Gospel still challenges comfortable Christianity. Compelling content for discipleship-focused parishes.
Graphics for this saint are coming soon.