Benedict XVI on the early life of St. Anselm

Anselm's mother left earth prematurely, leaving the youth in a "period of moral dissipation." The would-be saint "neglected his studies, overwhelmed by earthly passions; he was deaf to God's call," the Pope said.

Fortunately, he continued, some time later, Anselm was attracted to the Benedictine abbey of Bec by the fame of its prior, and again "took up his studies vigorously. [...] His monastic vocation rekindled and, after careful evaluation, he entered the monastic order at the age of 27 and was ordained a priest. Ascesis and study opened new horizons for him, making him find again, at a higher level, that familiarity with God that he had had as a child."

Thus began Anselm's mission as a leader of the Church of his times; he became prior of his monastery and eventually the archbishop of Canterbury.