St. Anselm was a notable theologian, Benedictine monk, scholar, and philosopher, born in 1033. He worked throughout his life to renew the use of reason and tradition within the faith. Known as a patient and skilled teacher within his order of Benedictine monasticism, Anselm became a writer, strongly influenced by St. Augustine. His research and meditation on the ontological argument for the existence of an all-perfect God and his writing on “Why God Became Man” are still quite impactful in modern philosophy and theology.
St. Anselm was appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury at the age of 60. However, disagreeing frequently with the King over reforming the Church, Anselm voluntarily entered exile more than once. Despite this, his skills as negotiator, statesman, and theologian continued to further the authority of the Church.
When he died as Archbishop in 1109, Anselm left behind countless prayers, meditations, and philosophical and theological treatises. Theology was, for him, truly “faith seeking understanding” in the scholarly realm. St. Anselm is remembered on his feast day, April 21st.