Feast of Sant’Arsenio il Grande

Sant'Arsenio il Grande, ora pro nobis

If we seek God, he will show himself to us, and if we keep him, he will remain close to us. ~ Sant'Arsenio il Grande

July 19 is the Feast of Sant’Arsenio il Grande (354-450), Deacon, Hermit and Dessert Father. He is the patron saint of Sant’Arsenio in Salerno. 

Following a profound spiritual crises, a celestial voice told the Roman patrician to “flee men.” Obeying, he rid himself of all worldly possessions and travelled to Alexandria in Egypt to live the ascetic life of a hermit. 

In the Sceté desert he joined a group of anchorites, where he spent his time in prayer and eremitic contemplation.

Forced to flee after a barbaric band of Mazici tribesmen devastated the hermitage and slaughtered many of the monks, he wandered the Egyptian wilderness for nearly fifteen years until his death in Troë near Memphis, Egypt. 

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Arsenius the Great. Evviva  Sant’Arsenio il Grande!

Prayer to St. Arsenius the Great

God, You called St. Arsenius to seek Your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity. Grant that we may be strengthen by his intercession and advance in the way of love with joyful hearts. Amen.