January 17, 2025, Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries)

Friends of the Rosary, Today, the Catholic Church honors a 3rd-century saint, St. Anthony, an abbot and father of monastic monks and Christian asceticism, who retired to the desert at eighteen to live in perfect solitude and prayer. Many heard about his ascetic life and came to join him in his hermitage. He was born in Middle Egypt to distinguished parents. One day, while in church, he heard the words of the Gospel: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor” (Matt. 19:21). He did so. He fasted rigorously and spent nights in prayer. St. Anthony the Hermit was severely tormented by devils. He would encourage his disciples: “Believe me; the devil fears the vigils of pious souls, and their fastings, their voluntary poverty, their loving compassion, their humility, but most of all their ardent love of Christ our Lord. As soon as he sees the sign of the Cross, he flees in terror.” St. Anthony was one of the first to lead an austere life of prayer and fasting in the solitude of the desert. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠⁠Enhance your faith in our newly released Holy Rosary University iOS app. • January 17, 2025, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET