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A 19th-century stained-glass window depicting Anselm as archbishop, with his pallium and crozier
(Credit : Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) was a Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. Widely known as the "Father of Scholasticism," he is celebrated for his intellectual rigor and his unwavering defense of the Catholic Church's independence from royal authority.

Early Life & Vocation

Anselm was born of noble parentage in Piedmont about the year 1033. At the age of twenty-seven, Anselm adopted the monastic state in the monastery of Bec, Studied under Lanfranc, and was made Prior in 1063 and Abbot in 1078.

Conflict with the ruler leading to life in exile

Various voyages to England in the interest of his Abbey made Anselm known in that country, and in 1093 he succeeded his old master, Lanfranc, as Archbishop of Canterbury. His resistance to the unjust measures of King William Rufus drew upon him the anger of that monarch. In 1097-98, he made a voyage to Rome, and spent some time in a monastery of Calabria, where he composed a work on the Incarnation. In the same year he assisted at the Council of Bari, and by his prayers prevented the Pope from excommunicating the King of England.

During his travels the Anselm composed several of his metaphysical works, and did not return to his See until after the death of King William Rufus in 1100. Differences with the new King caused him to undertake a second journey to Rome in 1103, and Pascal II upheld the authority of the Archbishop as his predecessor, Urban II, had done. He returned to England in 1106.

Death

Anselm died on Holy Wednesday, 21 April 1109. His remains were translated to Canterbury Cathedral. During the church's reconstruction after the disastrous fire of the 1170s, his remains were relocated, although exact location is unknown.

Legacy

Anselm was characterized by his spirit of recollection, which he preserved even in the most distracting occupations and by the metaphysical bent of his mind. His written works have deeply influenced Catholic Philosophy and Theology. In this field he is best known for his “Ontological Argument” for the existence of God. He was also a strenuous defender of the rights of the Church against the usurpation of kings.

After his death, Anselm was canonized as a saint; his feast day is 21 April. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by a papal bull of Pope Clement XI in 1720.

Article by Catholic Time Staff