On February 3rd is commemorated blessed Ansgarius, or as some call him, Anschar, which same was born in 801 of a noble family in Picardy ; and became a monk at Corbie, and went as a missionary to the North of Europe, where he made the Faith to flourish. Once when a disciple of his was ascribing to him the pow3er to work miracles, he rebuked him, saying : If I were worthy to ask for a miracle, I would ask God to make me a good man. For he was very humble, and believed himself to be such a sinner that God would not honour him with martyrdom. He died in 865 mourned by the whole North, pagans and Christians alike and is esteemed the Apostle of the Goths and Swedes.
Collect:
We beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to hear the prayers which we offer unto thee on this feast of blessed Ansgarius, thy Confessor and Bishop, that, like as he was found worthy to do thee faithful service, so, by the succour of his merits, we may be delivered from the chastisement which we have deserved, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
