Saint Anton is a saint famous for being the patron saint of animals, Every year millions of people bring their animals on San Antón's Day to be blessed. It is a day when ranchers ask the saint for their animals to be healthy and strong for another year. Now, why him? What is the story behind this saint?
Today, in this article, we want to talk a little about the saint to whom we have to ask that our animals are protected from any harm. Above all, we are going to focus on why Saint Anton in particular is the patron saint of animals.
Who was Saint Anton?
San Antón or San Antonio Abad, He was born around the year 251 AD. C. in Coma, a town near Hermopolis in ancient Egypt. His life and work took place at a time when the influence of Christianity was growing within the Roman Empire, it was also a time of continued pursuit of spirituality. Saint Anton became a role model for many monks and hermits who preceded his time.
San Antón began his life within a wealthy Christian family. When he was 20 years old his parents died and the homily would change his life. He spoke about the importance of eternal life, about the need to get rid of material goods to better value everything that surrounds us. That experience inspired him deeply and led him to make the decision to renounce his inheritance and dedicate himself completely to God. There he began his ascetic life, he retired to a cell in the desert where he would spend years of prayer, fasting and meditation.
The temptations were numerous at that time and even had manifestations of the devil in those temptations, according to his biographers. However, Saint Anton's faith was strong and he overcame all those tests, which contributed to strengthening him and forging his reputation as a holy man.
monastic life
The story of San Antón was passed from mouth to mouth and people began to look for him in the desert to ask for advice. There the saint realized the importance of forming a community of believers. Instead of building monasteries and establishing a rule, Saint Anthony decided on something more eremitic. He promoted the Monastic life as a personal path to holiness more than founding an order.
In this way, many people who wanted an ascetic life took him as a model and mentor. The followers and converts grew, having a great impact on the spiritual and practical lives of many people.
Why is Saint Anton patron saint of animals?
Throughout his life, he cared not only for people but also for animals. This connection of the saint with nature and living beings It is what led to the symbol of protection and respect for all creatures being considered and consolidated. Therefore, for Christianity this saint is the custodian and patron of animals and livestock farmers.
His influence on Christianity
As the years passed, the figure of the saint was consolidated as symbol of monastic life, his example inspired many to draw closer to God. His figure crossed the border of Egypt and in the 4th century there were already monastic communities that followed the example of the saint in other countries. His life, work and philosophy spread through literature, especially with the work of Athanasius of Alexandria "Vita Antonii."
Saint Anton's Day and the blessing of animals
Day This saint's holiday is January 17. This day is of great importance for Christian traditions as protector of animals and guardian of the sick. It is traditional, on this day, to go to bless the animals company or the ranchers say a prayer to the saint asking for their animals. In artistic representations it is usually common for the saint to be represented with a pig and sometimes another animal, as a patron or saint of animals.
In addition to the blessing of animals, which can be found in many locations, it is common to celebrate this saint's day with bonfires and fires. This tradition also derives from scaring away evil spirits, while the wood is burned. The ranchers take the opportunity to ask that all their animals be under their protection and some brave people jump over the embers.
Food and celebration It is also common, often around the aforementioned bonfire. It is common to eat typical sweets, torreznos or suckling pig.
So if you live with an animal at home and you want it to have extra protection, in addition to what you can offer it, Write down this date and look in which parish close to where you live They will do the blessing of animals this year.