Here is an image of the great Father of monasticism, St Anthony of Egypt, whose monastery still exists today, by the Red Sea, in Egypt.

He said: ‘The truly intelligent man pursues one sole objective: to obey and conform to the God of all. With this single aim in view, he disciplines his soul, and whatever he may encounter in the course of his life, he gives thanks to God for the compass and depth of His providential ordering of all things’.

St Anthony truly lived this. May we too make following the will of God our primary purpose, for only in this will we find blessing and true happiness. May God bless you in it.