(1139-1236) Conon was born to Italian nobility in Naso, Sicily, and became a Basilian monk at age 15. He became a priest and lived as a hermit in a nearby cave, but was called back to the monastery to serve as abbot because of his reputation for holiness. He made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and when his parents died and he received a large inheritance, Conon distributed everything to the poor and retired to a hermitage in the cave of San Michelle, near Naso in Sicily. The bells in Naso are said to have begun ringing on their own on the day of his death.
Conon put others first. He had the quiet life of prayer that he sought and left it to be abbot. He had material wealth to be comfortable and gave it all to those in need. In recovery, we strive to overcome our selfish impulses and be generous and be of service, like Saint Conon. How can you be generous and helpful today?
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
Reflection by Brad Farmer