Section 2

After the death of his parents, Antony was left alone with one very young sister. He was about eighteen or twenty years old, and the care of both the household and his sister fell to him.

Less than six months had passed since his parents’ death when, as usual, he was on his way to the Lord’s house. As he walked, he gathered his thoughts and considered how the apostles had left everything and followed the Savior, and how those described in Acts sold their possessions, brought the proceeds, and laid them at the apostles’ feet to be distributed to those in need. He also reflected on what great hope was laid up for them in heaven.

Thinking about these things, he entered the church. It happened that the Gospel was being read, and he heard the Lord say to the rich man: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor; then come, follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Antony received this as though God had brought the saints to his mind and as though the passage had been read especially for him. He immediately left the church and gave to the people of his village the property he had inherited from his ancestors—about three hundred fertile and very fine arourae of land—so that it would no longer burden either him or his sister. He sold all his remaining movable possessions, received a considerable sum of money, and gave it to the poor, keeping back only a little for his sister.