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Solitude, not Loneliness
Alone with God
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Saturday we celebrate the feast of Saint Anthony of Egypt. He is one of the desert fathers and a founder of monasticism. He’s probably best known (if known at all) for the severe assaults he endured from the devil. But as is typically the case, there’s more to the story.
Anthony had a profound conversion at age 20, after his parents’ death. He entered a church and heard the words: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mt 19:21). That prompted him to give away his considerable inheritance and live a solitary life, eventually retiring to the desert in search of greater solitude.
As these things go in the history of the saints, his reputation for holiness spread and people followed him out to the desert. Hence, he went from hermit to the father of a monastery, where other men similarly inspired could seek sanctity.
The essential point in Anthony’s decision is that he was going to something, not just from something. He detached himself from this world and renounced worldly goods not out of hatred or grumpiness, but out of a desire to be completely dedicated to God. His No to the world was for a greater Yes to God.
Anthony embraced solitude so that he could be more completely present to God and more completely appreciate God’s presence. His example of solitude is a great remedy to our modern loneliness. It’s the medicine for Blaise Pascal’s famous diagnosis: “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Our culture suffers both loneliness and the inability to be alone. We are isolated from each other and yet we don’t know what to do when alone.
Now, we’re not hermits. We need community. But we also need to know how to be alone, how to be in solitude with God. Of course, we all desire “alone time,” but that’s not the same as solitude. In fact, we very often squander alone time by filling it with the noise of social media.
Saint Anthony’s severity in renouncing wealth and going out to the desert reminds us that we need to be somewhat ruthless in finding time of solitude. Without neglecting our responsibilities and duties, we should square away some quiet time dedicated to being present to the One most present to us.
Saint Anthony, pray for us.
Updates…
The annual March for Life is Friday January 23rd. Our prolife is sponsoring a bus for those interested in attending. For more information click here.
Saint Vincent de Paul Discernment-Together with Saint Anthony and Saint Philip Parishes, we are in the process of discerning the establishment of a Saint Vincent de Paul Society for the Falls Church area. If you are interested in how we can better serve those in need in our area, please come to our informational meeting on Tuesday, January 27th.
It’s not too soon to begin planning for Lent. Please make note of two opportunities to grow in faith and prayer. First, the Lenten 10:10 challenge from Evangelical Catholic’s Reach More. Second, a parish discernment retreat on Saturday, February 28th, sponsored by the Ignatian Discernment Institute.
Sweet Humor
My doctor told me that my sugar is too high. So I went home and put it to a lower shelf.
Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia