Today, April 21, is the memorial of Saint Anselm.
Doctor of the Church.
Anselm came from Italian nobility. He was already a pious and studious child. Anselm, then aged 15, wished to enter the religious life. His father Gondulf said no.
Upon the death of his mother, Ermenberge, Anselm argued with his father, fled to France in 1056, and became a Benedictine monk at Bec, Normandy. He eventually became abbot of the monastery in 1078.
Anselm engaged in frequent travel and communications involving Normandy and England. He reluctantly accepted the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, England in 1092.
In that position, Anselm fought King William Rufus’ violation on ecclesiastical rights and the independence of the Church, refused to pay bribes to take over as bishop, and was exiled for his efforts.
He spent part of his exile as an advisor to Blessed Pope Urban II. He got the pope‘s support for returning to England and conducting Church business without the king‘s interference. He resolved theological doubts of the Italo-Greek bishops at Council of Bari in 1098.
King Henry II invited Anselm to return to England, but they argued over lay investiture, and Anselm was exiled again. The archbishop went back in 1106 when Henry agreed not to interfere with the selection of Church officials.
Anselm opposed slavery, and obtained English legislation prohibiting the sale of men. He called for a celibate clergy, and permitted to include some saints to the liturgical calendar of England.
Anselm was among the leading philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages. He was a prolific theological writer. He also served as counsellor to Pope Gregory VII.
He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1720 by Pope Clement XI.