My Thoughts on 21/04/2020

In past years the pupils of our secondary school, St Anselms, would gather today in Canterbury Cathedral and celebrate Mass on this their patron’s feast day.

Born in Italy, Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 and died on this day in 1109. We think he is buried in the Cathedral but no one is sure where. There is a statue of him on the south west porch of the cathedral holding the book of his most famous writing Cur Deus Homo (“Why God Became Man”). His philosophical and theological thinking and writing is still valued today. He is also know for is powerful prayers. Here is a favourite of mine.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You,
where and how to find You.
You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You.
You have made me and remade me,
You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess,
Still I do not know You.
I have not yet done that for which I was made.
Teach me to seek You.
I cannot seek You unless You teach me
or find You unless You show Yourself to me.
Let me seek You in my desire,
let me desire You in my seeking.
Let me find You by loving You,
let me love You when I find You. Amen

Today we pray for all the staff and student of St Anselms School, Canterbury.