Saint Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Anselm was born around 1033–1034 in Aosta in the Alpine region of Upper Burgundy (now Italy). Drawn early to God, he longed for monastic life, yet only after years of inner struggle and travel through Burgundy and France did he arrive in Normandy and enter the Benedictine abbey of Bec as a novice in 1060. Formed by the Rule of Saint Benedict and guided by the great teacher Lanfranc, Anselm grew into a wise monk and gentle spiritual father. He became prior and, in 1078, abbot of Bec, leading it to become one of Europe’s foremost centers of learning and holiness. His writings—marked by prayerful reason—helped shape Christian theology, including his reflections on God’s existence and the mystery of the atonement. In 1093 he was made Archbishop of Canterbury, where he courageously defended the Church’s freedom during the Investiture Controversy, enduring two exiles for resisting royal pressure. Venerated as a saint and later named a Doctor of the Church, he is honored as patron of places and institutions such as Challand-Saint-Anselme and St Anselm’s College. His feast day is April 21.

Saint Beuno was born at Berriew in Powys, Wales, and tradition remembers him as the grandson of a local prince. After receiving his education and priestly formation at the monastery of Bangor in northern Wales, he devoted himself to the Church as an abbot and missionary, preaching with the support of Cadfan, king of Gwynedd. When Cadfan’s successor, Cadwallon, dealt unjustly with him over a matter of land, Beuno sought what was right without bitterness, and Providence opened a new way: Cadwallon’s cousin Gwyddaint granted him land at Clynnog Fawr on the Llŷn peninsula “to God and Beuno forever.” There Beuno founded a monastery and shepherded souls in prayer, teaching, and holiness. Many miracles were attributed to him, including the raising of seven people from the dead—most famously his niece, the virgin Saint Winefride—signs of God’s mercy working through a faithful servant. He died peacefully at Clynnog Fawr, after a wondrous vision, around the year 640. Saint Beuno is invoked as patron of sick children. His feast day is April 21.