Feast Day of Saint Anselm of Canterbury: Champion of the Church and a Father of Christian Thought

Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033 - 1109) was a Benedictine monk, is a Catholic saint, Doctor of the Church, and one of the most influential theologians of the Middle Ages. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the Middle Ages and is known for his contributions to the field of theology and philosophy. He is the patron saint of theologians, apologists, and debaters.

Anselm was born in Aosta, Italy, on April 21st, 1033. He was educated by an uncle who was a Benedictine monk, and Anselm eventually joined the Benedictine order in 1060. He was made abbot of the monastery of Bec in Normandy in 1078.

In 1093, Anselm was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King William II. Anselm spent the rest of his life in England and is credited with reviving monasticism in England.

Anselm was a renowned philosopher and theologian, best known for his work Proslogion, in which he formulated the ontological argument, for the existence of God which states that, "if we can conceive of a being than which nothing greater can be conceived, then that being must exist in reality." He is also known for his work Cur Deus Homo, which explains why God would become man.

Anselm wrote several other works, including De Concordia, De Fide, and De Processione Spiritus Sancti. He also wrote a number of letters and sermons, which are still studied today.

Anselm died on April 21st, 1109. He was canonized by Pope Alexander III on April 21st, 1163. His feast day is April 21st.

Anselm is remembered for his great intellectual contributions to the Catholic Church and his commitment to monastic life. He is also remembered for his sharp wit and his ability to debate difficult theological questions. He was a great champion of the Church and a key figure in the development of Christian thought.