_Who Was St. Ansgar?
Feast Day: February 3
Patron Saint Of Scandinavia
Ansgar was also the patron saint of Hanover Germany. Who else would know this bit of trivia other than our founder Fr. Jerry Riordan? Rest in the arms of Jesus and Mary, Fr. Jerry.
Feast Day: February 3
Patron Saint Of Scandinavia
Ansgar was also the patron saint of Hanover Germany. Who else would know this bit of trivia other than our founder Fr. Jerry Riordan? Rest in the arms of Jesus and Mary, Fr. Jerry.
_ Ansgar, the "Apostle of the North", was born near
Corbie, France, in 801 AD. He entered the
Benedictine Order and became a powerful
preacher and teacher. He was sent as a
missionary to Denmark. For three years he worked and
ministered to the people there, but with little success.
When Sweden asked for missionaries, Ansgar again set
out, this time with another monk. On the way, the two were
captured by pirates and suffered many hardships before
they finally reached Sweden. Less than two years later,
Ansgar was recalled and made Archbishop of Hamburg in
831. It was in this capacity that Ansgar sent the first
missionary priests to the Hanover area of Germany.
For 13 years, Ansgar worked and prayed in Hamburg. He
was known for his excellent preaching, his great love of
the poor and the sick, and his humble, prayerful life. He
gave his all to his people, leading his flock to Christ. Then
another suffering came. In 845 Hamburg was invaded by
the Northmen and burned to the ground. Ansgar saw the
people return to paganism. Still he continued.
Ansgar was appointed Archbishop of Bremen and in 854
began new missionary work in Sweden and Denmark. He
asked for only one miracle – that God would make him a
good man. Deep in his heart, he carried the desire to give
his life for his faith, to show his love through martyrdom.
Contrary to his wish, Ansgar died peacefully in Bremen on
February 3, 865, and was buried in the cathedral. After his
death, Sweden again returned to paganism.
Ansgar was an extraordinary preacher, a modest, self-effacing
priest, whom his biographer, Bishop Rembert,
named a saint. Pope Nicholas I later confirmed his
canonization.
Ansgar worked very hard, but he lived to see his work
destroyed and his efforts proved apparently fruitless.
Looking at Ansgar’s life, we see one defeat after another.
Yet Ansgar was a winner in all the things that really matter
in life – in love and devotion, sacrifice and prayer, in the
giving of oneself to God and to others. May we remember
the life of Ansgar, the Apostle of the North, and be winners
in Christ!
Corbie, France, in 801 AD. He entered the
Benedictine Order and became a powerful
preacher and teacher. He was sent as a
missionary to Denmark. For three years he worked and
ministered to the people there, but with little success.
When Sweden asked for missionaries, Ansgar again set
out, this time with another monk. On the way, the two were
captured by pirates and suffered many hardships before
they finally reached Sweden. Less than two years later,
Ansgar was recalled and made Archbishop of Hamburg in
831. It was in this capacity that Ansgar sent the first
missionary priests to the Hanover area of Germany.
For 13 years, Ansgar worked and prayed in Hamburg. He
was known for his excellent preaching, his great love of
the poor and the sick, and his humble, prayerful life. He
gave his all to his people, leading his flock to Christ. Then
another suffering came. In 845 Hamburg was invaded by
the Northmen and burned to the ground. Ansgar saw the
people return to paganism. Still he continued.
Ansgar was appointed Archbishop of Bremen and in 854
began new missionary work in Sweden and Denmark. He
asked for only one miracle – that God would make him a
good man. Deep in his heart, he carried the desire to give
his life for his faith, to show his love through martyrdom.
Contrary to his wish, Ansgar died peacefully in Bremen on
February 3, 865, and was buried in the cathedral. After his
death, Sweden again returned to paganism.
Ansgar was an extraordinary preacher, a modest, self-effacing
priest, whom his biographer, Bishop Rembert,
named a saint. Pope Nicholas I later confirmed his
canonization.
Ansgar worked very hard, but he lived to see his work
destroyed and his efforts proved apparently fruitless.
Looking at Ansgar’s life, we see one defeat after another.
Yet Ansgar was a winner in all the things that really matter
in life – in love and devotion, sacrifice and prayer, in the
giving of oneself to God and to others. May we remember
the life of Ansgar, the Apostle of the North, and be winners
in Christ!