(d.c.400) Saint Onuphrius (his name is occasionally Anglicised as Humphrey) lived as a hermit in the desert near Thebaid, Egypt for 70 years. He wanted to imitate the asceticism (extreme self-discipline) of Saint John the Baptist. Onuphrius was a popular figure in the Middle Ages, often depicted as naked or with only a loincloth of leaves. This led to his patronage of weavers.

As a symbol of spiritual detachment, Saint Onuphrius is often sought for intercession with financial matters and sometimes for relief from drinking. If the Medieval depictions are at all accurate, he found great joy in living simply for God. A life without our unhealthy attachments does not mean a life without joy. It’s quite the opposite.

Saint Onuphrius, pray for us. You found the fortitude to radically practice self-denial, like Saint John the Baptist. Pray that we can find some portion of that to stop indulging in the things that harm us. Amen.

Reflection by Brad Farmer