MEMORIAL OF ST. ANTHONY OF THE DESERT, ABBOT

FATHER OF CHRISTIAN MONASTICISM

St. Anthony, the desert calls
     For you to come and live
To battle Satan for us all
     As Michael his strength gives,

For Jesus sends His prince to you
     To aid you in your fight,
Help make for us our dreams come true,
     Dispel our sinful night.

Then, go, help Athanasius win
     His fight with Arius,
Defend the truth has always been
     Bequeathed by Christ to us.

The Nicene Creed will spell the truth
     For us and for all time:
God’s Son is not from us aloof;
     He comes in bread and wine.

For Arius can never know
     That Body, Blood, is He;
His Incarnation to us shows
     From sin He sets us free.