You might think I have reverted to the lisp of my early childhood, but no, I do not mean Saint Anselm. Anthelm was a twelfth century French Carthusian. Born to the nobility and possessing a knack for administration, he rose quickly in the Church. After an avalanche killed seven monks at Grande Chartreuse, he was sent there are quickly appointed Procurator. Sometime later, the brothers elected him to fill a vacancy in the office of Prior. He was diligent about tending to the needs of the individual brothers while also thinking about the broader needs of the organization. For example, he ordered that a new motherhouse be built in a place less likely to be crushed under avalanches.
He served as Prior for twelve years, requesting several times to be relieved of his leadership role. At length, his request was granted, but his successor (Basil) ordered him to accept the job of Prior at Portes. The brothers there had requested him specifically because their region was suffering a food shortage and their needed to manage the distribution of relief from their own supplies. Having taken an oath of obedience, he could not refuse.
While he was serving as Prior of Portes, the bishopric of Belley became vacant. He also tried to decline that, but Pope Alexander III ordered him to take it. Again, that damned vow of obedience!
While others were grasping for Church offices to enrich and aggrandize themselves, Anthelm was quietly serving God and his neighbors. Perhaps the only indulgence he permitted himself was the annual time off from his bishop's gig, spent back at the monastery Grande Chartreuse, living as a common brother.
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