St. Anselm
Feast Day April 21

Patron of those in need of Patience and Gentleness

For those of us here in the Marian Mantle Group, St. Anselm teaches us once again that in God’s own time our prodigals will be able to turn their lives back to their faith.  His example of a patient and gentle man who knew the value of allowing the Holy Spirit room serves to inspire us to strive to be the same kind of person when relating to those we love.

 Who is St.

     St. Anselm proves that even though we aren’t born saints, God never gives up on us.  Indifferent toward religion as a young man, he became one of the Church's greatest theologians and leaders who received the title "Father of Scholasticism" for his attempt to analyze and illumine the truths of faith through the aid of reason.
     With regard to the education of the young, Anselm held very liberal views. He promoted less limits and fear instead allowing freedom of thought when teaching. Considered an original and independent thinker, Anselm was admired for his patience, gentleness and teaching skill. His care and concern extended to the very poorest people. Anselm obtained from the national council at Westminster the passage of a resolution prohibiting the sale of human beings.
     His theological works are comparable to those of St. Augustine. His best-known work is the book Cur Deus Homo ("Why God Became Man").   Anselm was appointed archbishop of Canterbury but, differences with the kings of England caused him to spend his final years in exile in Rome.
      Anselm was a mild and gentle man and a lover of peace, but did not back off from conflict and persecution when principles were at stake  

A Prayer of St. Anselm

     O Jesus, Son of God, and you, O Mother Mary, You desire that whatever You love should be loved by us. Therefore,
     O good Son, by the love you bear your Mother, to grant to me that I may truly love her.
     And you, O Good Mother, I beg you by the love that you bear your Son, to pray for me that I may truly love him.
     Behold I ask nothing that is not in accordance with your will. Since this is in your power, will my sins prevent this from being accomplished?
     O Jesus, lover of all, You were able to love criminals and even to die for them. Can you, then, refuse me, who asks only the love of You and your Mother?
     And you, too, Mary, Mother of He who loved us, who did bear Him in your womb, and fed Him at your breast, are you not able to obtain for one who asks it the love of your Son and yourself?
     May my mind venerate you both as you deserve. May my heart love you as it should.May my body serve you as it ought.In your service may my life be spent.Blessed be God forever. Amen, amen.

Words of St. Anselm

"No one will have any other desire in heaven than what God wills; and the desire of one will be the desire of all; and the desire of all and of each one will also be the desire of God" (St. Anselm, Letter 112).

Sources:

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-anselm/
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/st-anselm-of-canterbury-archbishop-doctor-of-the-church-5190
http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english/p00089d.htm