St. Anselm of Canterbury

Anselm was born in 1033 in Italy’s Lombardy region. He was deeply influenced by his pious mother and at fifteen asked for admission to a monastery, but the abbot refused, fearing the displeasure of the boy’s father. For a while Anselm lost interest in religion, but after a period of study he became friends with Lanfranc, the prior of the monastery school at Bec, France. Around 1060 Anselm entered the monastery and soon became well-known for his learning and piety. Anselm became abbot of Bec in 1078 and traveled to England to inspect some property of the abbey. While in England he was elected archbishop of Canterbury by the local clergy. His appointment was not accepted by the English king, but his successor Henry II eventually recognized Anselm as the lawful archbishop and treated him with respect. Anselm fought for the rights of the Church against the English kings, denounced the slave trade, and wrote numerous, influential theological treatises; he is known as “the Father of Scholasticism.” He died April 21, 1109 and was canonized in 1492. He was made a Doctor of the Church in 1721.