Today, January 17, is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Egypt.
Patron saint of pig owners.
More popularly known as San Antonio Abad, he took responsibility of his sister’s education when their parents died. Anthony sold his house, property, and furniture, and then gave the money to the poor.
At age 35, Anthony moved to the desert and lived alone for 20 years.
He blocked his area for solitude, but admirers and would-be followers broke the barricade. He had the gift of healing and spiritual counselling. He recommended following the Gospel at all times. With so many following his way of life, Anthony founded monasteries. His disciples earned a living by making baskets and brushes.
In 311, he left his place to go to Alexandria, Egypt to oppose Arianism and to comfort the victims of the persecutions of Maximinus. He met again his sister, who led a community of cloistered nuns. Afterwards, he lived in a cave on Mount Colzim.
Anthony became a close friend of St. Paul the Hermit, who was buried by Anthony himself. His biography was written by his friend St. Athanasius of Alexandria.
How he became patron of pigs and pig owners is complicated. One of the explanations was this: skin diseases were sometimes treated with applications of pork fat, probably early versions of “sebo de macho”. As Anthony’s intervention aided in the same conditions, he is shown in art accompanied by a pig. Because of this, people thought Anthony and the pigs had a direct connection. And so he became their patron.