An ancestor of Carmel

The story of St Antony made a great impression on me when I first read about him as a young man.  This call he had to a life of solitude and prayer could not actually have been more antipathetic to me; not because I was terrifically sociable, but because I did crave the joy of close friendship and company on the journey through life.  But here was someone called unmistakably and irrefutably by God to work in solitude and constant prayerfulness.  As a young man he gave all his goods to the poor and retired to the desert.  Today I see Anthony as one of the ancestors of Carmel, for we are told that he was responsible for the establishment of families of monks who, under the guidance of a spiritual father, consecrated themselves to the service of God.  St. Athanasius wrote these words referring to St. Anthony: "That he was everywhere known, admired and desired by everyone, even those who had not seen him, is a sign of his virtue and God-friendly soul. In fact, neither for writings nor for a profane wisdom nor for any capacity is Anthony known, but only for his piety towards God …  As indeed we would not have heard in Spain and in Gaul, in Rome and in Africa of this man, who lived withdrawn in the mountains, if God Himself had not made him known to all …” What a paradox – that to withdraw from the world is actually to draw attention to yourself!

Intercessions:

Marie, Bernard, Agnes – cancer

Siena, Elara – sick children

Rosemarie – multiple afflictions, in hospital

RIP Philippa Hodges OCDS – funeral next week