Pilgrim Library Christian Classics
St. Anselm's Book of Meditations and Prayers

St. Anselm's Book of Meditations and Prayers

Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) was an Italian-born Benedictine monk and theologian who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. Twice exiled in disputes with the English kings over the church's freedom, he wrote his greatest works as abbot of Bec and in exile. His Proslogion gave the classic ontological argument for God's existence, and his Cur Deus Homo set out the satisfaction theory of the atonement, both still widely read.

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First published
1100
Category
Devotional
Length
64k words · about 4 hours
Chapters
22

About this book

A book of meditations and prayers by St. Anselm of Canterbury, meant to be read slowly, a little at a time, so as to stir the mind to the love of God. Anselm leads the reader through confession, gratitude for redemption, and longing for heaven, often addressing his own soul directly. These prayers helped shape Western devotion for centuries.

Contents

  1. Introduction.
  2. First Meditation. Of the Dignity and Woe of Man’s Estate.
  3. Second Meditation. Of the Awful Judgment: For Awakening Fear in Oneself. 🔒
  4. Third Meditation. A Bemoaning of Virginity Sadly Lost. 🔒
  5. Fourth Meditation. Teaching the Sinner to Bestir Himself for the Amendment of His Sins. 🔒
  6. Fifth Meditation. [§ 22] On the Life of Sour and of Flesh. [§ 23] And of the Glory of the Good Soul, [§ 24] And the Misery of the Wicked Soul, on Their Departure from the Body. 🔒
  7. Sixth Meditation. Designed to Brace the Heart Against Despair, Forasmuch as We Shall Without Doubt Find True Mercy for All Our Sins if We Do True Penance. 🔒
  8. Seventh Meditation. 🔒
  9. Eighth Meditation. The Penitent’s Address to God His Father. 🔒
  10. Ninth Meditation. Of the Humanity of Christ. 🔒
  11. Tenth Meditation. [§ 50.] Of the Passion of Christ. 🔒
  12. Eleventh Meditation. Of the Redemption of Mankind. 🔒
  13. Twelfth Meditation. Of the Humanity of Christ. 🔒
  14. Thirteenth Meditation. Of Christ. 🔒
  15. Fourteenth Meditation. 🔒
  16. Fifteenth Meditation. Of the Memory of Past Benefits from Christ, of the Experience of Present Benefits, and of the Hope of Future. 🔒
  17. Sixteenth Meditation. Of Present Benefits from God. 🔒
  18. Seventeenth Meditation. Of Future Benefits from God. 🔒
  19. Eighteenth Meditation. 🔒
  20. Nineteenth Meditation. Of the Sweetness of the Divine Majesty, and of Many Other Things. 🔒
  21. Twentieth Meditation. 🔒
  22. Twenty-First Meditation. 🔒

Reading groups

🌐 Public discussionOpen to every reader of this book

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