St. Antony of the Desert

Book One: How Antony Trained Himself

Antony grew up knowing nothing aside from his parents and his home, going so far as refusing to learn literacy and desiring to be away from peers (p.15). How would this shape his later life as a hermit? Could children be raised in a similar manner today? What could we learn or apply from this example?
Antony “was satisfied with what was there and asked no more” (p. 15). In this manner, he demonstrated a uniformity with God’s Will by desiring no more and no less. How do we imitate this uniformity in our own lives? How could we be more uniform to God’s Will for us?
“As though it was from God that his thoughts of the saints [selling all his possessions] had come and the [rich man] reading had been for his sake,” Antony quickly distributed his property, sold his possessions, gave the money to the poor and gave himself to religious life (p.16). How can we apply the “rich man” Gospel to our own lives? Was his response impulsive or prudent? Why?
“He made himself really subject to the devout men whom he visited and learned for himself the special religious virtues of each of them…having gathered his fill, he returned to his own place of discipline and pondered with himself what he had learned from each and strove to show in himself the virtues of all” (p.17). How was this better than a formal education? Do we also learn virtues from others and seek to imitate them?
According to Antony, when the enjoyments of the body are weak, then is the power of the soul strong (p.20) . What does this mean? How can we make our own souls stronger?
“He held that not by length of time is the way of virtue measured and our progress therein, but by desire and strong resolve” (p. 20). Are there any saints whose lives illustrated this? How do we measure our own way of virtue? Do we think about growing in virtue during the day when opportunities to do so are presented?
Antony “was earnest each day to present himself such as one ought to appear before God: clean of heart and ready to obey His Will and none other” (p. 21). Why is this disposition so important? Do we face each day with a similar attitude?
When he took up residence in the tombs and faced multiple attacks from demons, Antony kept in prayer and undeterred from his solitary life. When divine help finally came and Antony asked why God did not help sooner, He responded, ” I was here, Antony, but I wished to see thy resistance” (p. 21-23). Why is God’s response to Antony so significant? Does He give a similar response at times in our lives? If so, how do we react to this? How should we react?
Although monasteries were scarce in Egypt when Antony began his solitary life, after he spent twenty years in solitary life, many were eager to follow him. How did God use him to build up the Kingdom of Heaven? How can we also build up the Kingdom of Heaven in our states of life?

Book Two: Antony’s Teachings

Antony said, “The Scriptures are enough for our instruction. Yet it is well that we should encourage each other in the Faith and stimulate each other with words” (p. 27). What do you think he meant by this? Would you agree? Why or why not?
“Never let us look back to the world, thinking that we have renounced much” (p. 28). How could looking back be a temptation? If we fall into this error, how do we overcome it?
“Therefore let none of us have even the wish to possess. For what profit is it to possess these things which yet we cannot take with us?” (p. 28-29) What are the things he claims we can take with us – and that even go before us and make a welcome for us in Heaven? Are these the treasures we focus on during our daily lives? How can we store up these treasures?
“When we wake each day, we should think we shall not live till evening; and again, when we go to sleep, we should think we shall not wake” (p. 29). Why is this so important to remember? How can we keep this mindset daily?
In his discourse on the devil’s powerlessness, Antony relates how the devil can do nothing but threaten (p.35). Why is it so important to remember that the demons can do nothing to those “who seek virtue and honor God”? How was the story of Job a special case? (p. 36)
Antony goes on to speak about distinguishing between good and bad visions (p. 39-41). What is the main difference between the two? Though we may not see visions as many saints did, what are other areas of our lives that this same principle could be applied?

Book Three and Four

“The monasteries in the hills were like tents filled with heavenly choirs, singing, studying, fasting, praying, rejoicing for the hope of the life to come” (p.45).
How was this atmosphere brought about by St. Antony? How can we cultivate this joy of vocation in our own homes?
“Antony [groaned] daily at the thought of the mansions of Heaven…when going to food and sleep and the other needs of the body, shame came on him, thinking of the spirituality of the soul” (p.46).
Why did he consider fulfilling bodily needs shameful? What is the balance between Antony’s view and knowing our bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit?

“A little time indeed we must of necessity allow to the body, but in the main we must devote ourselves to the soul and seek its profit” (p.46).
Why is this important? How can we do this everyday?
When the holy martyrs under Maximus were taken to Alexandria, Antony left his monastery and went to minister to the martyrs. He “cared so much [to been seen] that he washed his tunic all the more and on the next day stood on a high place in front and showed himself plainly to the prefect” (pgs. 46-47).
Why did he decide it was necessary, in this instance, to wash his tunic when he declined to earlier? Where did this fearlessness come from and how did it inspire his followers?

“[the demons] were hasting to do everything to drive Antony back from the desert, and they could not” (p. 50).
Why were they so desperate to drive him away? How dod they do so in our own vocations?

Antony “was neither dismayed by the attacks of devils, nor with so many four-footed and creeping things…but according to the Scripture, he trusted the Lord…with a mind tranquil and untossed” (p. 50).
How can we find and maintain this tranquility ourselves?

“Daily then let each take account with himself of the day’s and night’s doings”
“For often we miss seeing what we do and do not know but the Lord misses nothing” (p.52).
How do we apply these teachings in our own lives?

Of all Antony’s miracles, which did you find to be the most significant? Why? (pgs. 53-56)

“[he] saw a great figure…standing and reaching to the clouds and people going up as if on wings. And the figure was stretching his hands, and some he stopped and others flew above and passing by him” (p.58)
What is the significance of this vision? Why should it stick with us?

“If he was with a company of monks and someone wished to see him who did not know him before, as soon as he arrived, he would pass over the others and run straight to Antony as if drawn by his eyes” (p.59)
Why did God give this grace? What inspired it?

To the Greeks, Antony said, “this is another wonderful thing, that your teaching was never persecuted but was honored by cities publicly while the Christians are persecuted, and yet it is we and not you that flourish and grow” (p. 65)
Why is this? How is this a significant difference between religions? Would this be true today also?

“As fish that are long on dry land die, so monks who linger among you and spend time with you grow lax. Therefore, we have to hasten to the hills as the fish to the sea, lest if we linger, we should forget the inner life” (p. 69).
How is this also a danger for us today? How do we combat it?