St. Anselm, April 21
Born in Aosta in 1033, Anselm became abbot of Bec in Normandy and then archbishop of Canterbury, where he clashed with the kings of England and was twice exiled. He described theology as “faith seeking understanding.” He is a Doctor of the Church.
On the General Roman Calendar, April 21 is an optional memorial: Saint Anselm, bishop and doctor.
Other saints on April 21
- St. Conrad of Parzham, Capuchin porter (1894)
Name days on April 21
In countries that keep name days, April 21 is the day for people named Anselm.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Anselm | April 21 |
April 21 on the calendar
April 21 is the 111th day of the year (the 112th in a leap year), with 254 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | Sunday |
Keeping April 21
April 21 falls in spring. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Anselm, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around April 21
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| April 18 | St. Perfectus of Córdoba |
| April 19 | St. Leo IX |
| April 20 | St. Agnes of Montepulciano |
| April 22 | Sts. Epipodius and Alexander |
| April 23 | St. George |
| April 24 | St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen |
The day before, April 20, is the day of St. Agnes of Montepulciano. The day after, April 22, belongs to Sts. Epipodius and Alexander. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.