April 21--St. Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

April 21-St. Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor

Sometimes in one man, many gifts come together.  St. Anselm was such a man.  He was a renowned philosopher and theologian, the second Archbishop of Canterbury after the Norman conquest of England in the 11^th century, the father of Scholasticism, a Doctor of the Church, and last, but not least, saint.  In the 11^th century a new way of thinking developed that combined the insights of ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, with the Revelation of God as understood by theologians.  The person that is considered the father of this movement, Scholasticism, was Anselm.  He deeply loved the philosophy and theology of St. Augustine and further honed the necessary philosophical skills that made it clearer to a new audience that demanded concise and clear thinking.  His efforts influenced the entire Middle Ages and the greatest philosopher/theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Clear thinking leads to greater understanding.  For him theology was “faith seeking understanding”, so that what we believed led to a better grasp of the mysteries of the faith.  Clear thinking also can lead to wisdom and fortitude, both gifts that Anselm had.  He was exiled twice under the Norman kings of England for his refusal to bow to their commands in how to administer the Church.  We can benefit from Anselm’s example to think clearly, love deeply, believe faithfully, and follow Mother Church obediently.  Thus may we too grow in our understanding of the mysteries of faith and apply the morals of God’s law to the circumstances of our times.