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Cardinal-Bishop, Doctor of the
Church
Also known as: Seraphic Doctor of the Church; the Devout Doctor
Memorial: 15 July
Profile
Born in Tuscany in 1225, this
frail child was given the name of John at his baptism. He soon fell so ill
that his cure was despaired of, and his sorrowing mother had recourse to
Saint Francis, recognized everywhere in Italy as a Saint. She promised God
she would endeavor to have the child take the habit of the Franciscan
Order, if he were cured. Her prayer was granted, the child was cured, and
Saint Francis himself gave him his new name. In reference to the
miraculous cure, he prophetically exclaimed of the infant, “O buona
ventura!— O good fortune!” Saint Francis died a few months later, not
without foreseeing the future of this little one, destined to be a seraph
of love like himself. Saint Bonaventure is titled “the Seraphic Doctor,”
from the fervor of divine love which breathes in his writings.
Sanctity and learning raised Bonaventure to the Church’s highest honors,
yet at heart he was ever the poor Franciscan friar, who practiced and
taught humility and mortification. He was the friend of Saint Thomas
Aquinas; they received the Doctor’s cap together in Paris. Saint Thomas
asked him one day from what source he drew his great learning; he replied
by pointing to his crucifix. Another time Saint Thomas found him in
ecstasy while writing the life of Saint Francis. The Angelic Doctor said,
while retiring quietly, “Let us leave a Saint in peace, to write of a
Saint!”
At the age of thirty-six Saint Bonaventure was made General of his Order.
In 1265 he only escaped another dignity, the Archbishopric of York, by
dint of tears and entreaties to the Holy Father Clement IV. When he
learned of Pope Gregory X’s resolve to create him a Cardinal, he quietly
made his escape from Italy, and in France began to compose a book. But
Gregory sent him a summons to return to Rome. On his way, he stopped to
rest at a convent of his Order near Florence; and there two Papal
messengers, sent to meet him with the Cardinal’s hat, found him washing
the dishes. The Saint asked them to hang the hat on a nearby bush, and
take a walk in the garden until he had finished what he had begun. Then
taking up the hat with unfeigned sorrow, he joined the messengers, and
paid them the respect due to their character.
He was the guest and adviser of Saint Louis, and the director of Saint
Isabella, the king’s sister. He sat at the right hand of Pope Gregory X
and presided all sessions at the Council of Lyons, assembled to provide
for the reform of morals and the needs of the Holy Land, and to cement the
union of the Greeks with the Roman Church. The piety and eloquence of
Saint Bonaventure won over the Greeks to Catholic union, but his strength
failed suddenly, the day after its closure. He died on the 15th of July,
1274, and was buried by the assembly of the Council members, still in
Lyons; he was mourned by the entire Christian world.
"A man of eminent learning and eloquence, and of outstanding holiness, he
was known for his kindness, approachableness, gentleness and compassion."
- Pope Gregory X on hearing of the death of Bonaventure
Born
1225 at Bagnoregio, Tuscany, Italy
Died
15 July 1274 at Lyon, France
Canonized
14 April 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV
Name Meaning
good fortune (= bona venture)
Patronage
bowel disorders
Representation
cardinal's hat; ciborium; communion; cardinal in Franciscan robes, usually
reading or writing
Readings
Mary seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for
such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children.
Saint Bonaventure
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When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that
proceeding from the mouth.
Saint Bonaventure
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Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the
vehicle, like the "throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant," and "the
mystery hidden from the ages." A man should turn his full attention to
this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of
faith, hope, and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by
gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make
with Christ a "pasch," that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of
the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the
desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the
sepulcher, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as
much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the
thief who hung beside Christ: "Today you will be with me in paradise."
from Journey of the Mind to God by Saint Bonaventure
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