St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Anselm of Canterbury was a monk who lived in Italy and England in the 1000s and 1100s. He was a member of the Benedictine religious order. He also became the Archbishop of Canterbury and a Doctor of the Church.
St. Anselm of Canterbury did a lot of important work for the Church. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy monk in many aspects of your life.
About St. Anselm of Canterbury
St. Anselm was born around the year 1033 in Italy. His mother was a devout Catholic, though his father did not help influence him toward holiness. Anselm’s mother chose to send Anselm to a school run by Benedictine monks.
During his time at the Benedictine school, Anselm began to feel called to pursue a religious vocation. This was influenced by a dream he had in which he talked to God. When Anselm was fifteen years old, he expressed his desire to become a monk. But his father refused to allow him to do so.
Anselm’s mother died around this time. Anselm then contracted a severe illness. Once he recovered, he decided to leave his father’s house. He traveled throughout Italy and France for about three years.
When Anselm traveled to Normandy, he met Blessed Lanfranc, who was a Benedictine prior. Anselm’s life regained a sense of purpose when he became Lanfranc’s disciple. Lanfranc recognized Anselm’s vocation and spiritual gifts.
When Anselm was twenty-seven years old, he became a Benedictine and was ordained to the priesthood. In 1063, he became prior of the monastery. In 1079, he became abbot of another monastery.
Because the Normans had recently conquered England, monks from Normandy went to England to help form the Church in England. So Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury. He soon asked Anselm to join and assist him there.
In the late 1080s, Lanfranc died. A period of turmoil for the Church in England followed. Anselm returned to his monastery in Normandy. In 1092, he agreed to return to England even though the current king was not friendly to the Church. But the king agreed to allow Anselm to be appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Anselm knew that this would lead to conflict between him and the English government, but he accepted the position anyway. As archbishop, Anselm insisted on the Church’s right to govern itself. The government attempted to claim the Church’s property and to rule over the Church. This conflict led to Anselm being exiled for three years. In 1106, he was restored to his archdiocese.
For the rest of Anselm’s life, he carried out his motto: “Faith seeking understanding.” He pursued many theological investigations and wrote many significant works. He is considered by many to be the “Father of Scholasticism.” He did a lot of important work in both theology and philosophy.
Anselm died in 1109. Pope Clement XI declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1720.
St. Anselm of Canterbury’s Feast Day: April 21st
Why Pray the St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena?
St. Anselm of Canterbury is the patron saint of theologians. You can pray the St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena if you are a theologian or are studying to be a theologian. You can also pray the St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena to seek his intercession for someone you know who is a theologian or who is studying to become a theologian.
Additionally, St. Anselm of Canterbury is the patron saint of philosophers. You can pray the St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena if you are a philosopher. Or you can pray this novena to seek St. Anselm’s intercession for a philosopher you know.
You can pray the St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena for any intention!
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena Prayers
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you did not have the benefit of a father who was strong in his faith. But your mother was a devout Catholic. She led you to the path of holiness and placed you in a school run by Benedictine monks.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all families may be full of holiness and love.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to serve God worthily each day. Pray that we may be open to serving Him in whatever ways He calls us to.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, your devout mother helped you to learn how to serve God from the time you were a child. Your education from Benedictine monks during your childhood greatly influenced you toward the path of holiness throughout the rest of your life.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may receive the love and formation they need.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to advance in holiness each day. Pray that we may grow closer to God at every opportunity He gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you felt God calling you to serve Him in a religious vocation when you were young. Though your father prevented you from pursuing your vocation for some time, you were eventually able to become a Benedictine and a priest.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may inspire more men and women to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to answer God’s call in our lives. Pray that we may submit ourselves more fully to His will each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, your education from Benedictine monks formed you in the faith and helped you to learn your vocation. You later became a Benedictine priest and served God faithfully for the rest of your life.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all members of the Benedictine religious order may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may serve God faithfully in every circumstance in our lives. Pray that we may do all we can to grow in holiness each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you were ordained to the priesthood when you were twenty-seven years old. You spent the rest of your life serving God faithfully as a priest, a bishop, and a Benedictine.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all priests may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to carry out the duties of our vocations faithfully each day. Pray that we may grow in virtue and holiness at every opportunity God gives us.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you were appointed Archbishop of Canterbury during a time of great conflict between the Church and the government of England. Despite the difficulties you faced as archbishop, you served God faithfully.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all bishops may be holy shepherds of their flocks.
Pray for us, that we may never allow any difficulties or sufferings to deter us from serving God faithfully. Pray that we may persevere in holiness in all circumstances, each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm you pursued many theological investigations and wrote many works that were significant to the Church. You were declared a Doctor of the Church because of the many important theological works you wrote.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and assist all theologians.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to help lead souls to God. Pray that we may always give glory to God for all that we do, each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you are venerated as the patron saint of philosophers. You did a lot of important work in philosophy and came to be considered the “Father of Scholasticism.”
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bless and assist all philosophers.
Pray for us, that we may always make use of every opportunity God gives us to serve Him and to grow in holiness. Pray that we may truly do all we can to live saintly lives every day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Anselm of Canterbury as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings to You on our behalf.
St. Anselm, you were made Archbishop of Canterbury at a time of great conflict between the Church and the government of England. Despite the many obstacles you faced in your vocation as bishop, you served the Church faithfully.
We ask you to take all of our petitions before the throne of God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church may be strong and her members holy.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God and His Church in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may do all we can to grow in holiness each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.