Deepertruth!: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Ansgar "Apostle Of The North"

Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Ansgar "Apostle Of The North" 2/1/2024

Patron Saint of Scandinavia, Denmark, Sweden, and various locations in Germany

Declared a saint by Pope Nicolas I c. 865

Liturgical Color: White

Ansgar was the son of a noble Frankish family, born near Amiens (present day France)

when the little boy learned in a vision that his mother was in the company of Mary, mother of Jesus, his careless attitude toward spiritual matters changed to seriousness.

According to Rimbert, his early studies and ensuing devotion to the ascetic life of a monk were inspired by a vision of his mother in the presence of Mary, mother of Jesus.

one night he had the first of many visions that would set the course of his future. He saw the Blessed Mother coming to him with many other women behind her. Among the others was his own mother. The Blessed Mother asked him if he wanted to come to his mother and be with her, to which he responded that he did. At that, the Blessed Mother said to him, “If you desire to share our companionship, you must flee from every kind of vanity, and put away childish jests and have regard to the seriousness of life; for we hate everything that is vain and unprofitable, nor can anyone be with us who has delight in such things.”

Though, his friends assured him that his life was one continuous martyrdom as a result of the hardships he endured for the faith. St. Ansgar is now considered the patron saint of Scandinavia.