03/29/04

St. Anselm

St. Anselm came from a noble Lombard family and was born in Aosta in the Italian Alps. His Mother was a good and pious Burgundian woman, but after her death his father's violence and harshness finally caused Anselm to flee to France. Here, after several years of wandering, he took the Benedictine habit in 1060 at Bec (Normandy), where his illustrious countryman Bl. Lanfranc had started the famous school and soon he was outstanding for his learning. Within three years he was made Prior and after another 15 years, very reluctantly, Abbot.

As abbot, St. Anselm had to cross over to England from time to time in connection with his abbey's English properties, and there he became known and highly esteemed for his virtues and fearless zeal. So much so that in 1099 he was made Archbishop of Canterbury in the hope that he would be able to cope with the encroachments of King William the Red.

Many important writings of this gentle Prelate, who was considered the greatest intellect of his age and a 'pattern for all theologians', were composed during his two banishments. They earned him the title of 'Father of Scholasticism' and 'Doctor of the Universal Church'(1720) on account of the deep and lasting influence which his thinking has had upon philosophy and theology.

Reflection: 'O Lord, our God, Grant us the grace to desire You with our whole heart, that in desiring You we may seek and find you, the sins from which You have redeemed us.'

(St. Anselm)