Saint Anthony the Great

Saint Anthony the Great, also known as Saint Anthony the Abbot, was born in the middle of the third century in Egypt. Moved by a Bible passage that suggested offering all of his possessions to the poor, Anthony did just that and became a hermit. Over the course of his life Anthony is said to have encountered the devil multiple times. One incident left Anthony beaten unconscious. Nevertheless, Anthony continued his life of solitude and worship. He is the patron saint of gravediggers, basket weavers, and animals. His feast day is celebrated January 17. If Saint Anthony were alive today, he might be working with people addicted to drugs who are fighting their own demons.