It’s officially the Saintly Sixteen's Monday Madness as we power through the entire second round this week! In today's video we’ll crown two new Canons of Comments, share stories of how these saints have shaped our faith, and gear up for today’s GREAT matchup.
It’s St. Benedict of Nursia vs. St. Anthony the Great.
Can Padre Alberto’s favorite saint work and pray his way to the Elate Eight after already knocking off a "Great," Basil? Or will the Father of All Monks remind Benedict how monasticism was done before it was cool? Rule of St. Benedict vs Desert Father energy. Monastery life vs cave life. Schedule vs solitude.
Only you decide. Watch the video, read the blogs, and vote! 🏆
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a name associated with miracles. Benedict’s miracles involved physical healing and prophetic insight. Through fervent prayer, Benedict was able to perceive events outside the monastery walls.
One day Benedict was praying in his chambers while monks were working on a building. Benedict sent word warning them that the enemy was about to attack. Almost immediately, an evil spirit overturned a wall, crushing one of the men. Benedict prayed over the man for hours until he was miraculously healed.
Benedict cared deeply for his whole community, especially the marginalized, including those who persecuted him. Though born into a wealthy family, he refused to look down on others. Goths were viewed as barbarians, but Benedict welcomed a Goth monk into the monastery. One day, while the monk was cutting bushes, his iron scythe head slipped into deep water. Benedict calmly came to the water, plunged the pole into it, and the blade miraculously attached itself back to the pole. Instead of reprimanding him, Benedict simply said, “Here it is. Go back to work and do not be sad!”
Another time a pious Christian, who found himself in sudden debt, came to Benedict asking for 12 gold coins. Benedict told him he did not have the money but to return in three days. During that time Benedict prayed continuously. When the man returned, they found 13 gold coins in the community chest. Benedict told him to pay his debt and keep one for his expenses.
On another occasion, a grieving father brought his dead son to Benedict and begged him to “raise him up”. Initially, Benedict hesitated, but after the father persisted, Benedict prayed, “Lord, do not look on my sins but on the faith of the man who asked that his son be raised up. Return to this body the soul you have taken from it.” Immediately, life was restored to the son.
Benedict even cared for those who tried to harm him. A jealous priest tried to poison him and later tried to tempt him with naked women. Attempts failed, and concerned for his disciples, Benedict chose to leave the monastery. The jealous priest danced for joy on his balcony, which then collapsed and he fell to his death. Benedict mourned and “gave himself over to serious laments.” Benedict loved the man as a child of God, even while rejecting his sin.
Benedict lived as a reflection of Christ to everyone he encountered. His miracles, prayer life, and compassion remind us that the Holy Spirit continues to work through those who live in humility and faith. Through prayer, love, and mercy—especially toward those society rejects—we are called to reflect Christ to the world.
— Sara Kay Hill
Anthony the Great
Gather round, friends, and prepare to hear a delightedly Lenten tale: The tale of the temptation of Anthony by the devil, according to Athanasius.
Young Anthony took lessons in virtue from everyone he met, trying to emulate the goodness that he saw in them. The devil, however, did not like this seriousness with which Anthony approached holiness, and came to him as he prayed in the desert, trying to tempt him with many earthly pleasures and desires. Anthony, with God’s help, resisted them all, and in so doing shamed the devil. The devil, of course, did not take kindly to this resistance, but retreated until a more opportune time.
Anthony, for his part, continued to grow in holiness. He prayed so constantly that he would often go a whole night without sleep. He ate little, only bread and salt, and only drank water. He denied himself and continued in prayer, until eventually he decided that he should be locked up in a tomb, to pray by himself, with a friend periodically bringing him bread. Think of it like the premodern David Blaine, except not for attention. (Okay, so maybe not like David Blaine at all.) The devil, Athanasius tells us, was concerned that Anthony would fill the entire desert with holiness, and so took a more direct approach than before.
The devil came and assaulted Anthony physically, cutting him so badly that he fell down, unable to stand or even speak. Thankfully (or providentially), this attack occurred close to delivery day, and so the friend discovered him lying there. Anthony’s wounds were so bad that he needed to be brought to the nearby village. The villagers sat with him, fearing he would die. But at midnight that night, he awoke, signaled his friend near, and asked him to return Anthony to the tomb. He still could not stand, but merely lay on the ground and prayed: “Here am I, Antony; I flee not from your stripes, for even if you inflict more nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ.” A ray of light came upon Anthony, the demons tormenting him vanished, and he was miraculously healed.
The lasting lesson of Anthony’s life and temptation is that of resistance to the devil, and the need to persevere in seeking holiness. To that end, I will leave you with some of Anthony’s own words, advice given in a letter to his brothers: “Truly, my beloved, you know that when there is a fair wind, the captain of the ship boasts; but it is in the time of violent adverse winds that every skilled captain is revealed. Know now of what kind is this time to which we have come.”
— Ian Lasch
41 comments on “Benedict of Nursia vs. Anthony the Great”
“Truly, my beloved, you know that when there is a fair wind, the captain of the ship boasts; but it is in the time of violent adverse winds that every skilled captain is revealed. Know now of what kind is this time to which we have come.” These words of St Anthony won my vote today. May skilled captains reveal themselves in this time of great violence and uncertainty.
Mine, too!
Ditto. Powerful message.
same here!
I have a longstanding devotion to Benedict, especially when I'm working in the yard. The Benedictine _ora et labora_ has always appealed to me.
I'm too Protestant to have much (okay,any)truck with saintly miracle stories, but at least those attributed to Benedict were in the aid of other people and display kindness and compassion. Sorry Anthony, I do not get the holiness in failing to eat and sleep and locking yourself in a tomb. Easy choice today.
Yes. I have kind of lost my understanding for the number of saints and aesthetics who apparently thought the most important thing Jesus did was go to the desert to fast for forty days. Forty days. Not his whole life!
All I can say is, I don’t like Anthony’s story. It was upsetting to me. I read it twice because it just seemed so violent.
Benedict of Nursia has my vote. What a gentle and faithful man. The story that resonated with me was about the gold coins. Sending the person who requested money seemed to be more about prayer, reflection and finally on the return acquiescing with accountability…. Pay your debt and use one coin for expenses. Benedict did not shame him instead he was generous and also taught him a bit of accountability.
I voted for Benedict while remembering a time when the week’s shopping money went missing somehow. My mother was distraught wondering how we would get through the week. Dad gathered us to pray. We all obediently did so. It cannot have been ten minutes later that a friend of the family dropped by to give Dad an envelope containing than enough money to take care of the groceries.
Both are far too hagiographic. Please be a bit more real and historical.
Another "1/2 vote for each" day ...
I chose Benedict.
Anthony is one of the great olympians (please pardon the pun) for God, and is a heroic example to us all.
Benedict on the other hand was concerned with the spiritual welfare of others. Very helpful to us less saintly folk in our spiritual efforts.
Again voting for Benedict of Nursia as the person who developed Lectio Divina as a spiritual practice -- one that anchors me and provides a place of prayer through scripture.
Benedict for me today, not because of the miracles but because of the Benedictine Rule, which is the first (I believe) of the methods of work/life balance to be promoted in the world.
Who is David Blaine?
A world famous magician
While it’s nice to read the stories about the Saints’ reported mystical life events and miracles; the real test is what they have given us in lasting life enhancement. I can’t help but wish that more is said about Benedict’s influence on our daily prayer lives and spiritual direction. These are his real lasting miracles of life.
I love you guys - that was one of the best Monday Madness(es)I've heard yet. It's a tough choice today. I became a fan of Anthony in my Church History class, but had to go for Benedict today because this line (thank you, Sara Kay) is how I try to live.
"Benedict lived as a reflection of Christ to everyone he encountered."
I don't always succeed very well, but that's why we have the Rite of Reconciliation, isn't it?
I cannot relate either of these saintly lives, but Benedict's story is that of helping others, while Anthony struggled with his own body. I hope to emulate Benedict and avoid Anthony's calling.
I am going with Benedict of Nursia today. As I read these stories, I was drawn back to Benedict for his compassion, and it reminded me of the story of the "good" Samaritan in scripture. It also brought me to our current world, inflamed with hatred and polarity, and our call to love everyone with grace, humility, and mercy; especially those who stir up conflict.
I had to vote for Anthony because of today's write-up. Well done.
I can't believe that we are given life to abuse our physical bodies in order to become more "spiritual." Jesus said he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. I believe it's preferable to be out in the world, attempting to see each person we meet as Jesus in disguise. "Benedict lived as a reflection of Christ to everyone he encountered." Benedict gets my vote.
As a Benedictine, I must of course vote for our Patron!
I assume Desmond Tutu won Friday since he had a good lead when I voted for Edith!
Since both Benedict & Anthony were my former choices, today is a toss up & Benedict’s blogger won the day!!
Out of an old grudge, I will never vote for Martin Luther, even though I might think he will be the winner. As a lifelong Episcopalian, I married my Lutheran husband in 1976 in the Episcopal church. Now granted his people were Missouri Synod, and he began attending the Episcopal church with me, but I was no less shocked and highly offended that when we would visit his family, their Lutheran church denied me the Eucharist. Yes, this is an old offense and maybe I should forgive them this slight, but I don’t. So ABML - anybody but Martin Luther.
I too voted for Benedict; but what were the results of Friday's "battle" between the Arch & Edith Stein?
The Archbishop received 63.6% of the vote to Edith Stein's 36.4%. We will hope to see Edith back in a future year, but the Archbishop advances to the Elate Eight. By the way, there is a list at the right margin on the home page that shows all the previous contests. Clicking on the one of interest will give you the results.
Even though I usually back the saint that approaces trouble head on, I had to vote for Benedict who was able to follow Christ continuslly and when failed repented continouly.
As an Oblate in the Companions of St. Luke, OSB (the Order of St. Benedict), naturally my vote is for holy Father Benedict. His 1500-year-old Rule is wisdom for everyday life; the very first word in his Prologue is "Listen": "Listen carefully, my child, to my instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart." He teaches us how to seek God in community, and isn't that why we are here?
These kinds of stories bring out the skeptic in me, but I'll go with the ones that were all about empathy and compassion. Benedict gets my vote.
You had me at "Goth monk." I pictured a fade haircut, Doc Marten boots, a ripped T-shirt, and heavy black eyeliner. Why didn't Anthony just shoot the devil with a Sex Pistol? Now that the U.S. is floating proposals to use nuclear weapons to explode a canal across Oman to bypass the Strait of Hormuz (Newt says it would only take a dozen bombs!), I realize "best story wins." Today's stories are highly entertaining, and I wish we could stay here for the foreseeable future. I am here for the miracles even though I realize the future is simply going to be all of us working together to help one another and the planet make it through: the ice age is coming, a nuclear error but I have no fear, because London's drowning . . .
Neither of these biographies are particularly helpful. Instead of retelling fanciful miracles, focus on why these two are in Lent Madness in the first place. If you can't support them without mythical miracles then maybe they don't belong in the Saintly Sixteen.
Thank you to the commenters who assisted me yet again with my decision. I agreed with many of you who appreciated Benedict’s ministry to people outside of himself, rather than Anthony’s ministry of internal suffering and bodily harm.
Saw this one coming. No surprises!
Benedict of Nursia was an amazing man. Along with his prayerful miracles he wrote and instituted The Rule of St. Benedict. He had an amazing insight into human nature and how unrelated people could work and live together in peace. To this day, many religious houses (monasteries and convents alike) follow a modified Benedictine Rule. His emphasis on the balanced life, lived in moderation, balanced between work, prayer, and rest remains a healthy, stabilizing way of life.
I like that he hade an counter with the delil an wore them off
As a benedictine oblate, I felt obliged to vote for Benedict.