Archbishop Anselm

Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033 – 21 April 1109) was an Italian, a Benedictine monk, aphilosopher, and a prelate of the church who held the office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. Called the founder of scholasticism, he is famous in the West as the originator of theontological argument for the existence of God. In 1720, Anselm was recognized as a saint by Pope Clement XI.

The anniversary of Anselm's death on 21 April is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, much of theAnglican Communion, and in the Lutheran Church, as Anselm's memorial. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1720 by Pope Clement XI, though he was never formally canonized.On 21 April 1909, 800 years after his death, Pope Pius X issued an encyclical "Communium Rerum", praising Anselm, his ecclesiastical career, and his writings. His symbol in hagiography is the ship, representing the spiritual independence of the church.

Almighty God, you raised up your servant Anselm to teach the Church of his day to understand its faith in your eternal Being, perfect justice, and saving mercy: Provide your Church in every age with devout and learned scholars and teachers, that we may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.