Anselme de Cantorbéry
1033-1109 11th century Feast day: April 21
Faith seeking understanding, and the mind that prays as it seeks to understand.
Who was Anselme de Cantorbéry?
A monk who came from Aosta to Bec, in Normandy, then archbishop of Canterbury, he faced kings for the freedom of the Church and knew exile twice. A mind of rare rigor, he sought God through the intellect without ever leaving prayer: his faith went before his reason and called it. The Proslogion, where he seeks to understand the One he already believes, remains a summit of thinking prayer.
In their own words
I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand.
Teach me to seek you, and show yourself to the one who seeks; for I cannot seek you unless you teach me, nor find you unless you reveal yourself.
Insignificant man, flee for a while your occupations, hide a little from your restless thoughts; enter the inner chamber of your soul.