St. Anthony Catholic Church

Anthony or Antony, † 356 at age 105; born in upper Egypt; hermit and early founder of religious life; called the "Patriarch of Monks"; aided St. Athanasius of Alexandria (2 May) in combating Arianism

At Cana in Galilee, Jesus performed the first of his signs, revealing his glory to his disciples (3), and later to all the nations (1, Ps). He has revealed as well the manifestation of the Spirit who distributes different gifts as he chooses (2). Is 62:1-5 Ps 96:1-3, 7-10 1 Cor 12:4-11 Jn 2:1-11

Sebastian, † 288? at Rome under Diocletian; chief of the Praetorian cohort whose acta tell of his being pierced by arrows, later being clubbed to death; patron of archers, soldiers, and police associations.

Agnes, † beginning of 4th c. under Diocletian at the age of twelve (so Augustine and Ambrose report); patroness of Christian virtue confronted by political and social violence; represented with a martyr's palm and a lamb (her name in Latin [agnus] = lamb); the wool from two lambs blessed today will be used to make the pallia which will be blessed by the pope on 29 June; Metropolitans, however, will receive those pallia in a separate ceremony within their home dioceses from the Apostolic Nuncio; mentioned in the Roman Canon

Vincent, † in early 4th c., in the persecution of Diocletian at Valencia; deacon of the church of Saragossa; protomartyr of Spain; Prudentius (384 c. 410), Spanish-born poet, sings his praises in his narrative poem Peristephanon; patron of wine producers (Vincent/vin assonance in French).