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!