St. Anthony the Abbot

St. Anthony the Abbot was born in Egypt in 251. He sold his possessions and land, gave his money to the poor and became an anchorite – living alone in penance and prayer. He had many followers and founded two monasteries. He died in 356. Many in the area where he lived made baskets for a living, so St. Anthony became patron saint basket makers. He is also patron saint of epileptics, monks and animals.