St. Ansgar, [Anskar] "Apostle of the North" (Scandinavia)

Catholic Culture.org ^ | not given | Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

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St. Ansgar
The "apostle of the north" (Scandinavia) had enough frustrations to become a saint—and he did. He became a Benedictine at Corbie, France, where he had been educated. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a convert, Ansgar went to that country for three years of missionary work, without noticeable success. Sweden asked for Christian missionaries, and he went there, suffering capture by pirates and other hardships on the way. Less than two years later he was recalled, to become abbot of New Corbie (Corvey) and bishop of Hamburg. The pope made him legate for the Scandinavian missions. Funds for the northern apostolate stopped with Emperor Louis's death. After thirteen years' work in Hamburg, Ansgar saw it burned to the ground by invading Northmen; Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism.

He directed new apostolic activities in the North, traveling to Denmark and being instrumental in the conversion of another king. By the strange device of casting lots, the king of Sweden allowed the Christian missionaries to return.

Ansgar's biographers remark that he was an extraordinary preacher, a humble and ascetical priest. He was devoted to the poor and the sick, imitating the Lord in washing their feet and waiting on them at table. He died peacefully at Bremen, Germany, without achieving his wish to be a martyr.

Sweden became pagan again after his death, and remained so until the coming of missionaries two centuries later.

Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

Patron: Denmark; Scandinavia; Sweden.

Symbols: Wearing a fur pelise; holding the Catheral of Hamburg.

[Salvation]

For your information

[Salvation]

Could you please change the st. to St.

Thanks in advance.

[Salvation]

Women for Faith and Family

Saint Ansgar, Bishop
Optional Memorial
February 3rd

History:
Saint Ansgar was born in France, become known as the "Apostle of the North" for his great evangelical work in Denmark and Sweden. He was the first Archbishop of Hamburg and then of Bremen. Pope Gregory IV appointed him as his delegate to Denmark and Sweden. In reply to those who questioned some miracles attributed to him, he said, "Were God to choose me to do such things, I would ask Him for one miracle only: that by His power He would make me a good man."

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

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St. Ansgar, etching by Hugo Hamilton (1830)

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Catholic Forum

Ansgar

Also known as

Amschar; Anschar; Ansgarius; Anskar; Apostle of the North; Scharies

Memorial

3 February

Profile

Born to the French nobility. Benedictine monk at Old Corbie Abbey in Picardy, and New Corbie in Westphalia. Studied under Saint Adelard and Saint Paschasius Radbert. Accompanied the converted King Harold to Denmark when the exiled king returned home. Missionary to Denmark and Sweden. Founded first Christian church in Sweden c.832. Abbot of New Corbie c.834. Archbishop of Hamburg, ordained by Pope Gregory IV. Papal legate to the Scandanavian countries. Established the first Christian school in Denmark, but was run out by pagans, and the school was burned to the ground. Campaigned against slavery. Archbishop of Bremen. Converted Erik, King of Jutland. Great preacher, a miracle worker, and greatly devoted to the poor and sick. Sadly, after his death most of his gains for the Church were lost to resurgent paganism.

Born

801 at Amiens, Picardy, France

Died

3 February 865 at Bremen, Germany; relics at Bremen, Hamburg, and Copenhagen

Patronage

Denmark; diocese of Hamburg, Germany; Scandinavia; Sweden

Representation

holding the catheral of Hamburg; wearing a fur pelise

Additional Information

Google Directory
Catholic Online
Wikipedia
New Catholic Dictionary

 

Readings

If I were worthy of such a favor from my God, I would ask that he grant me this one miracle: that by His grace He would make of me a good man.

- Saint Ansgar to a parishioner who was praising him for being a miracle worker

[Salvation]

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

February 3

St. Ansgar

(801-865)

The “apostle of the north” (Scandinavia) had enough frustrations to become a saint—and he did. He became a Benedictine at Corbie, France, where he had been educated. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a convert, Ansgar went to that country for three years of missionary work, without noticeable success. Sweden asked for Christian missionaries, and he went there, suffering capture by pirates and other hardships on the way. Less than two years later he was recalled, to become abbot of New Corbie (Corvey) and bishop of Hamburg. The pope made him legate for the Scandinavian missions. Funds for the northern apostolate stopped with Emperor Louis’s death. After 13 years’ work in Hamburg, Ansgar saw it burned to the ground by invading Northmen; Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism.

He directed new apostolic activities in the North, traveling to Denmark and being instrumental in the conversion of another king. By the strange device of casting lots, the king of Sweden allowed the Christian missionaries to return.

Ansgar’s biographers remark that he was an extraordinary preacher, a humble and ascetical priest. He was devoted to the poor and the sick, imitating the Lord in washing their feet and waiting on them at table. He died peacefully at Bremen, Germany, without achieving his wish to be a martyr.

Sweden became pagan again after his death, and remained so until the coming of missionaries two centuries later.

Comment:

History records what people do, rather than what they are. Yet the courage and perseverance of men and women like Ansgar can only come from a solid base of union with the original courageous and persevering Missionary. Ansgar’s life is another reminder that God writes straight with crooked lines. Christ takes care of the effects of the apostolate in his own way; he is first concerned about the purity of the apostles themselves.

[Kolokotronis]

Here's a link to the vespers for this feast day: http://www.orthodoxengland.btinternet.co.uk/servansg.htm

[lightman]

Ansgar also appears on the calendar of Commemorations in both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church.

He is therefore one of a small company of truly universal post-Apostolic saints who bridge East and West.

I did not know until reading the biography above that he was born in Picardy, France. I shall try to remember to include the hymn "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" set to the tune "Picardy" next February when this festival will be on a Sunday. On the Lutheran calendar that will be Transfiguration (Quiquagesima) but the hymn will still be a good fit.

[Kolokotronis]

"Ansgar also appears on the calendar of Commemorations in both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church."

Interesting. Is there a catalog of pre-Reformation Lutheran saints?

[lightman]

The Commemorations have been established by each Lutheran body in North America, and, most unfortunately, there is little agreement between them. But from a composite spreadsheet I made some time ago, here is the lisiting by feast day:

January 17 Anthony
January 21 Agnes
January 26 Timothy
February 3 Ansgar
February 14 Cyril and Methodius
February 23 Polycarp
March 7 Perpetua
March 17 Patrick
March 19 Joseph
April 21 Anselm
May 3 Athanasius
May 19 Dunstan
May 25 Bede
June 1 Justin
June 5 Boniface
June 9 Columba, Aiden, and Bede
June 12 the Ecumenical Council of Nicea
June 14 the Cappadocian fathers
June 27 Cyril of Alexandria
June 28 Irenaeus
July 11 Benedict of Nursia
July 15 Vladimir and Olga
July 23 Brigitta
July 29 Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany
August 8 Dominic
August 10 Lawrence
August 20 Bernard
August 27 Monica
August 28 Augustine of Hippo
August 29 Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
September 13 John Chrysostom
September 16 Cyprian of Carthage
September 25 Sergius of Radonez
September 30 Jerome
October 17 Ignatius of Antioch

October 23 James of Jerusalem
November 11 Martin of Tours
November 23 Clement, Bishop of Rome
December 6 Nicholas
December 7 Ambrose
December 13 Lucy

Of course the Apostles' Days, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and St. Michael and All Angels are also observed but at the rank of Lesser Festivals.

[lightman]

Lutheran Ping!

Pinging for my post # 10 which may be of general interest.

[Kolokotronis]

Quite a list, LM. I certainly recognize all the names. What role do these saints play in the liturgical and prayer lives of the faithful?

[lightman]

What role do these saints play in the liturgical and prayer lives of the faithful?

Like many aspects of piety, that would largely depend on the formation and instruction offered by the parish pastor. Commemorations are a relatively new aspect of Lutheran liturgical life. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America first added Commemorations (as distinct from the Lesser Festivals) with the publication of the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has only now added Commemorations with the 2006 Lutheran Service Book.

In 1980 Rev. Dr. Philip Pfatteicher published an excellent volume entitled "Festivals and Commorations" which includes a biographical sketch, an excerpt of the saint's writing (when available) and suggestions for hymns and prayer petitions. At the time of publication Phil served as a campus minister, a setting in which he could have some type of chapel service every day, and now he serves on the staff of the largest Lutheran church in Pittsburgh where there is a liturgy every weekday. Most clergy are not in such settings so Commemorations might be mentioned when they coincide with a Sunday or other regular liturgy, or might not, depending on their own piety.

This is the sort of quantum liturgical and devotional change that will require several generations before the results can be fully guaged.

[redgolum]

Lightman, those are pretty close to what the LCMS uses (though many are often forgotten if you don't read the devotionals).

"Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent" is a great Communion hymn. I suspect it will be booming out of the organ tomorrow morning.

[redgolum]

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has only now added Commemorations with the 2006 Lutheran Service Book.

My parents have an old "Red" hymnal at home, with many of the Saints days in them. My grandfather's worship book has most of those and a few more (don't know enough German to be sure on some of the names).

It wasn't that they weren't on the calendar, but that for a long time they were "forgotten".

[Kolokotronis]

Do you ask the saints for their intercession before Christ?

[lightman]

The Apostles' Days first appeared the Common Service Book of the United Lutheran Church (antecedant to Lutheran Church in America and ELCA) in 1913.

There was a decent level of awareness of these days because these were permitted to celebrated on Sundays other than Sundays in Advent, Lent, or Easter. That Lutheran peculiarity suddenly became a source of embarassment so the new ELCA hymnal actively discourages (but does not forbid) that practice on the basis of "ecumenical practice".

I don't know that much about the Missouri practice except that Sunday observance had not been permitted in Lutheran Worship but now is permitted for a few Minor Festivals, such as the Presentation and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

In some parts of Germany and Scandanavia there was so great an appreciation for the "six great festivals" (Presentation, Annunciation, Nativity of John the Baptist, Transfiguration, St. Michael, and All Saints) that these became regarded much like the Roman Catholic "holy Day of Obligation" on which attendance at the services of the church was pretty much expected. Of course that was one of many casualties in crossing the Atlantic.

[lightman]

From the Augsburg Confession, AD 1530

Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints.

1] Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor may follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country. 2] For both are kings. But the Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints or to ask help of saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor. 3] He is to be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our prayer; and this worship He approves above all, to wit, that in all afflictions He be called upon, 1 John 2, 1: 4] If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, etc.

[redgolum]

The days were in the hymnal, but to be honest until about three years ago if they didn't fall on a Sunday very little mention of it was made. Now it is in the bulletin, and often mentioned in the sermon (depending on the pastor).

There is a greater awareness today than before. Before, as one pastor said, "They suffered under benign neglect".

And Kolo, we don't ask for their intercession. We only ask Jesus for that. The lives of the saints are to be used as examples of the faith.

[Salvation]

This is so interesting. Thanks for your additions to the thread!