Saint Anselm of Canterbury, born Anselm of Aosta in 1033, was a renowned medieval theologian, philosopher, and prelate who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 until his death in 1109. His life and works have left a significant imprint on the Catholic Church, particularly in the fields of theology and philosophy.
Early Life and Monastic Calling
Anselm was born into a noble family in Aosta, now part of modern Italy. His early education was in the liberal arts, which ignited in him a profound love for learning and religious contemplation. At the age of fifteen, Anselm desired to enter the monastic life; however, he was refused entry to the local abbey. This rejection led to a period of conflict and wandering, during which he experienced a lack of spiritual direction.
Eventually, Anselm traveled to Normandy and entered the Benedictine Abbey at Bec in 1060, drawn there by the reputation of Lanfranc, its prior. Anselm would later succeed Lanfranc as prior and became abbot in 1078. His tenure as abbot was marked by deep scholarly work and teaching; his intellectual rigor and piety attracted students from across Europe.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Anselm’s elevation to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in his life, characterized by his conflicts with the English kings William II and Henry I over the rights and freedoms of the Church. These disputes often centered on the lay investiture controversy, where Anselm steadfastly defended the Church’s authority against secular encroachment. His steadfastness led to periods of exile, during which he continued his theological work, including writing some of his most important treatises.
Contributions to Theology and Philosophy
Saint Anselm is perhaps best known for his theological and philosophical writings, which have had a lasting impact on the Church. His most famous contribution is the ontological argument for the existence of God, presented in his work Proslogion. This argument posits that God, being that than which nothing greater can be conceived, must exist in reality because if God existed only in the mind, a greater being—existing in reality—could be conceived.
Anselm also made significant contributions to soteriology, the study of salvation, particularly through his work Cur Deus Homo (“Why God Became Man”). In this, he develops the satisfaction theory of atonement, arguing that Christ’s death was necessary to reconcile humanity with God, satisfying the demands of justice while demonstrating divine mercy.
Legacy and Canonization
Saint Anselm’s intellectual legacy is vast, influencing both secular and religious thought. His commitment to an intellectual exploration of faith was coupled with a profound devotion to the spiritual life, exemplified by his motto, “faith seeking understanding.”
He was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church in 1494 by Pope Alexander VI and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1720 by Pope Clement XI. His feast day is celebrated on April 21.
Saint Anselm’s life and works exemplify the rich intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Church. His persistent quest for truth, combined with his deep piety and pastoral concern, make him a towering figure in the history of Christian thought and a model for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the divine mysteries.