Anselm of Lucca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintAnselm of Lucca |
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| Bishop, Confessor | |
| Born | 1036 Milan |
| Died | 18 March 1086 |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 1087 by Victor III |
| Feast | 18 March |
| Patronage | Mantua |
Anselm of Lucca (Latin: Anselmus; Italian: Anselmo; 1036 – 18 March 1086) was an important bishop in Italy during the Middle Ages. He was born Anselm of Baggio. He played a big part in a major conflict called the Investiture Controversy. This was a fight over who had the right to choose church leaders. Anselm was sometimes called Anselm the Younger or Anselm II. This was because his uncle, also named Anselm, became Pope Alexander II before him.
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About Anselm of Lucca
Anselm was born in Mantua, Italy. He received a good education there. His uncle, who became Pope Alexander II, chose Anselm to be the next Bishop of Lucca.
Early Challenges as Bishop
Pope Alexander II told Anselm to get permission from Emperor Henry IV to become bishop. Anselm went to Germany, but he did not want to accept spiritual power from a ruler. He felt that only the Church should give such power. So, he returned without the Emperor's permission.
In 1073, Pope Gregory VII again made Anselm the Bishop of Lucca. This time, Anselm accepted the Emperor's permission. But he soon felt very bad about it. He then gave up his bishop role. He joined the Benedictine monks at a monastery near Mantua.
A Monk's Life and Return
Pope Gregory VII told Anselm to go back to Lucca. Anselm did so, even though he was not happy about it. He continued to live like a monk.
Anselm tried to make the priests (called canons) in his church follow stricter rules. Most of the canons did not want to follow these new rules. They were even forbidden from certain church activities by the Pope. Around 1080, Anselm was forced to leave Lucca. This happened with help from Emperor Henry IV and a rival pope, Antipope Clement III.
Anselm then went to Canossa. There, he became a spiritual guide for Matilda of Tuscany. She was a powerful countess who supported the Pope.
Helping the Pope
Later, Pope Gregory VII made Anselm a special representative (called a papal legate) in Lombardy. This meant Anselm could oversee many church areas that had no bishops. These areas were without leaders because of the conflict between the Pope and the Emperor.
Anselm was very knowledgeable about the Bible. He wrote important works that argued against rulers choosing church leaders. He also defended Pope Gregory VII against the rival pope and Emperor Henry IV.
His Important Writings
Anselm spent his last years collecting church laws. He put them into 13 books. This collection was one of the first to support the Pope's reforms. These reforms aimed to strengthen the Church's power. His work later became part of a famous legal book by a jurist named Gratian. Anselm's collection also helped bring back Roman law studies in the Middle Ages.
Anselm died in Mantua on March 18, 1086. He is considered the patron saint of that city. Two biographies were written about him soon after his death. Anselm was made a saint by Pope Victor III in 1087.
