The Prayers and Meditations of St. Anselm

TAN Resurrection

by Anselm of Canterbury, Anselm of Aosta

LARGE PRINT EDITION. The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm (1070-1080) is a collection of writings by Anselm of Aosta. Written during his time at Bec Abbey in Normandy, The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm is a deeply personal and meditative work of theology written by a figure whose service as Archbishop of Canterbury is noted for his fierce independence from royal authority and devotion to meaningful reform in the Catholic Church. Included in this collection are Anselm's "Prayer to God," a meditation focused on the Lord's Prayer, and the "Prayer to Christ," a moving piece that addresses the importance of John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene to the Son of God. Apparent throughout The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm are the author's preoccupation with the nature of the soul, the doctrine of original sin, and the mysteries inherent to belief. Often considered the father of scholasticism, an important medieval school of philosophy, Anselm believes foremost in the ability of reason to sharpen and illuminate faith, allowing him to reconcile his Christian identity with his application of Neoplatonism while maintaining the supremacy of the Church and God over all aspects of inquiry. Canonized as a saint following his death in 1109, Anselm has long been recognized as a leader in the medieval Church and as a foundational figure for Christianity in England. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anselm of Aosta's The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm is a classic of Christian theology reimagined for modern readers.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Christianity, Prayer, Catholic, Religion, Devotional

410 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2022

About the author

Anselm of Aosta was an Italian-born English theologian, monk, and abbot at the Benedictine abbey of Bec served as Archbishop of Canterbury under William II from 1093 to his death on 1109. He is held to be a Saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by a bull of Pope Clement XI in 1720.

Anselm helped to inaugurate the Scholastic movement in the medieval period, sometimes credited as the "father of scholasticism," and was known for what is today referred to as the "ontological argument" for the existence of God.

Reviews

[Tamara]

Set as we are in the midst of snares, we all too easy grow cold and remiss in our longing after heaven. We have need, therefore, of some constant monitor, whose use shall be that when we have relaxed our efforts and lost ground, we may presently be roused from sloth, and may return to God, our true and highest good. It was not, therefore, from rash presumption, but from a great love for my God that I applied myself to the compilation of this little work; that I might always have about me, collected out of the choicest sayings of the holy fathers, a brief word or two ready to hand about my God; so that whenever I find I am growing cold, I may read, and reading be inflamed to love of Him. (Pg. 97)

This is a super read for meditations and a closer love for our creator.
However, this book isn't very well edited. It has a ton of typos! Minus one star.

[Michael Christian Bell]

Beautiful thought provoking meditations.

Anselm touched me deeply with his expansive and eloquent literary skills. His personal testimony of the misery experienced when stained with sin, yet the joy and heights attained when washed and sanctified by the sweetest grace known to humanity was as sweet as honey. Recommend for seekers of assurance and christians weighed down with guilt.

[Wenura Ravindu]

St. Anselm of Canterbury,
Pray for us!

[Chandler]

A theologically rich and worship-inspiring collection of the prayers and meditations of Anselm. The focus of these meditations and prayers is the state of the human condition, the compassion and mercy of God, and the incarnation and redemptive work of Christ. I would highly recommend this work if you are looking for some invigoration in your prayer life. I will likely revisit these prayers in the future for my own worship practice.

If I have any critique, I would say that Anselm expresses too low a view of the human body during some of his reflections on the human condition.