Summary: <br> <br> St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 8<br> Day 8<br> From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:<br> A brother renounced the world and gave his goods to the poor, but he kept back a little for his personal expenses. He went to see Abba Anthony. When he told him this, the old man said to him, “If you want to be a monk, go into the village, buy some meat, cover your naked body with it and come here like that.” The brother did so, and the dogs and birds tore at his flesh. When he came back the old man asked him whether he had followed his advice. He showed him his wounded body, and Abba Anthony said, “Those who renounce the world but want to keep something for themselves are torn in this way by the demons who make war on them.”<br> <br> <br> Dear God,<br> St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.<br> He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.<br> In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.<br> Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.<br> St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).<br> We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.<br> Amen<br> St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.<br> <a href="http://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/st-anthony-desert-novena-mp3-audio-text/">For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page </a><br> The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late <a href="http://www.hmc.ox.ac.uk/people/bward.html">Sr Benedicta Ward SLG </a>, are taken from her <a href="http://amzn.to/2CXYKJ8">The Sayings of the Desert Fathers</a><br> <br> <br>
