The Devotions of St. Anselm: Cross-linked to the Bible

by Anselm of Canterbury

St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was an Italian Benedictine monk, abbot and theologian. He was the archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109, and was declared a saint soon after his death. Later in 1720 he was pronounced a doctor of the church.

These meditations and prayers were written around 1075. They are personal meditative reflections on the life of Christ, and on God. Also included are his letters of spiritual counsel and his treatise on the existence of God.

This version of this classic work is cross-linked to the World English Bible.

Genres: Philosophy

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

born 1033

People best know Italian-born English theological philosopher and prelate Saint Anselm for his ontological argument for the existence of God.


He entered the Benedictine order at the abbey of Bec at the age of 27 years in 1060 and served as abbot in 1079.

Anselm, a Benedictine monk of monastery at Bec, from 1093 held the office of the Church of archbishop of Canterbury. Called the founder of scholasticism, this major famous originator of the satisfaction theory of atonement influenced the west. He served as archbishop of Canterbury under William II. From 1097, people exiled him to 1100.

As a result of the investiture controversy, the most significant conflict between Church and state in Medieval Europe, Henry I again from 1105 exiled him to 1107.

A bull of Clement XI, pope, proclaimed Anselm a doctor of the Church in 1720 . We celebrate his feast day annually on 21 April.