Marie de Nazareth
To Jesus, through Mary
"As the greatness of God could be defined in the famous formula of Anselm's ontological argument for the existence of God as that than which nothing greater can be thought, so, the purity of the Virgin could be defined, again, by Anselm as that than which, under God, nothing greater can be thought." (1)
St Anselm was born in Aoste, Italy. He became a Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Bec, in Normandy (France) then made illustrious by Lanfranc's learning. Anselm profited so well by the lessons of this master that he became his most familiar disciple and shared in the work of teaching. His active work as a pastor and stalwart champion of the Church makes Anselm one of the chief figures in religious history. The sweet influence of his spiritual teaching was felt far and wide, and its fruits were seen in many lands. Anselm was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury on December 4, 1093.
Anselm had new ideas about prayer
Anselm was a daring soul. He was unafraid to try new adventures. Prayer gave him new confidences to venture out into the unknown. He wasn't always successful. He searched his mind and heart earnestly to discover God and never gave up on his vocation despite a long delay.
He is called the "Scholastic" Doctor of the Church
The beginning of Anselm's teenage years was difficult because he wanted to enter a monastery but was refused acceptance because of his father's opposition. Then, Anselm spent nearly twenty years exploring how to please God more in prayer before he became the abbot of the monastery. He was continually attempting to analyze and illumine the truths of faith through the aid of reason.
This led him to a new discovery of prayer. He is called the Scholastic Doctor, almost unfairly, because it is archaic church terminology. In his day, there existed, what is called, scholastic theology and philosophy. It was most pedantic - a splitting-of-hair - definition. Anselm introduced an excessively subtle dimension to learning and in an attempt to love God excessively, if that were possible. His main emphasis was growth in love, charity and familiarity with divine love.
Mary, the Mother of God is our Mother
The confidence and exuberance of Anselm’s prayer toward our Blessed Mother is revealed in the following prayer. We was truly a Marian Doctor and he went so far as to tell us that: “if the merit of him who prays cannot obtain the graces which he asks, the merit of the holy Mother who intercedes for him, will obtain his petition.”
"Blessed Lady, you are the Mother of Justification and those who are justified;
the Mother of the Reconciliation and those who are reconciled;
the Mother of Salvation and those who are saved.
What a blessed trust, and what a secure refuge! The Mother of God is our Mother.
The Mother of the One in Whom alone we hope and Whom alone we fear is our Mother! The One Who partook of our nature and by restoring us to life made us spiritual children of His own Mother.
He invites us, by this unity and bond, to proclaim that we are His brothers and sisters."
Prayer is fond respect for all life
Anselm imparts to us that genuine prayer is extraordinarily sensitive, delicate and personal. The more we attempt to converse with God, His Mother or any of his saints tenderly, sincerely and humbly the less we become and the more God unites us to Himself. The life of God dwelling in our soul transforms us to have a tremendous respect for life for all - even killers. If prayer isn't fond respect for all forms of life it is not authentic conversation with the Creator.
Wise use of our reasoning powers and prayer-worship devotion
Anselm's personal ardor, literary brilliance and scrupulous theology have secured him widespread and lasting admiration. His tussle, as Archbishop of Canterbury, with the early Norman kings has earned his place in secular and religious history. His best known work is 'Why God Became Man'. St Anselm was opposed to the slave trade and put much emphasis on freedom of choice. He felt that reason and faith could complement each other through wise use of both our reasoning powers and prayer-worship devotion.
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(1) Jaroslav Pelikan, 'Mary Through the Centuries', (Her place in the history of culture)
Adapted from www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com