Jul 15, 2017

β›ͺ Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio - Bishop and Doctor of the Church

🌟 Saint Bonaventure 🌟

Seraphic Doctor – Cardinal Bishop and Teacher of the Faith

πŸ“… Born: 1221, Civita di Bagnoregio, Latium, Papal States
Baptismal Name: Giovanni di Fidanza

⚰️ Died: 15 July 1274 (aged 52–53), Lyon, Kingdom of Burgundy-Arles

πŸ™ Venerated in: Catholic Church, Church of England

πŸ‘‘ Canonized: 14 April 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV

πŸ“… Feast Day: 15 July

πŸ›οΈ Title: Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, Doctor of the Church

πŸ‘• Attributes: Cardinal’s hat on a bush, ciborium, Holy Communion, reading or writing in Franciscan robes

🌎 Other Titles: Doctor Seraphicus ("Seraphic Doctor")

πŸŽ“ Education: University of Paris

πŸ“˜ Philosophical Traditions: Scholasticism, Augustinianism, Neoplatonism, Medieval Realism

πŸ“š Notable Ideas: Illuminationism, Exemplarism, refined Ontological Argument

β€œIn everything, seek God with simplicity and humility.”


Saint Bonaventure, OFM (1221 – July 15, 1274), born Giovanni di Fidanza, was an Italian Franciscan bishop, cardinal, scholastic theologian, and philosopher, canonized in 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1588 by Pope Sixtus V as the "Seraphic Doctor." As the seventh Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, he guided the Franciscans with wisdom and moderation. His feast day is July 15.

Early Years and Franciscan Calling

Born in 1221 in Civita di Bagnoregio, Papal States, to Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria di Ritella, Bonaventure nearly died in childhood but was saved through the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi, inspiring his later Franciscan vocation and his biography of the saint. Joining the Franciscan Order in 1243, he studied at the University of Paris under Alexander of Hales and John of Rochelle, excelling in theology. By 1253, he held the Franciscan chair, and in 1255, he earned the degree of master, equivalent to a doctorate, alongside Thomas Aquinas. A dispute delayed his recognition as Master until 1257.

Leadership and Defense of the Order

Elected Minister General in 1257, Bonaventure defended the Franciscans against anti-mendicant critics, notably through his work A Defense of the Poor. He enforced the rule of Saint Francis, leading with wisdom and sanctity for 18 years, earning recognition as the order’s second founder. In 1260, the General Chapter of Narbonne, under his leadership, prohibited unauthorized publications to address heretical works like Gerard of Borgo San Donnino’s Introductorius in Evangelium Γ¦ternum, a rule not aimed at Roger Bacon, as sometimes assumed. In 1265, he declined the Archbishopric of York offered by Pope Clement IV but was later made Cardinal Bishop of Albano by Pope Gregory X, accepting reluctantly while performing humble tasks like dishwashing.

Theological and Philosophical Works

Bonaventure’s major works include the Commentary on the Sentences of Lombard, The Mind’s Road to God (Itinerarium mentis in Deum), Brief Reading (Breviloquium), Soliloquy on the Four Spiritual Exercises (Soliloquium de quatuor mentalibus exercitiis), The Tree of Life (Lignum vitae), and The Triple Way (De Triplici via). Influenced by Augustine, pseudo-Dionysius, and Aristotelian principles, his theology integrated faith and reason, viewing Christ as the "one true master." His exemplarism posited that creation reflects divine archetypes in God’s mind, rooted in the Trinity. He rejected Aristotelian necessitarianism, affirming divine providence, free will, and the soul’s immortality, using arguments like Anselm’s ontological proof and Augustine’s eternal truths.

Role at the Council of Lyon and Death

Bonaventure played a key role at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, facilitating a temporary union of the Greek and Latin churches. He died suddenly during the council, possibly by poisoning, though modern sources like the 2003 New Catholic Encyclopedia omit this claim. His death at 53 was mourned by Pope Gregory X and the bishops. In 1434, his relics were found partially incorrupt, with his head perfectly preserved, leading to his canonization in 1482. In 1562, Huguenots burned his body in Lyon, but his head was saved, though later lost during the French Revolution. His arm, used to write his Commentary on the Sentences, is preserved in Bagnoregio’s St. Nicholas Church.

Legacy and Veneration

Canonized in 1482 and named a Doctor of the Church in 1588, Bonaventure’s feast was initially set for the second Sunday in July, moved to July 14 in 1568, and fixed on July 15 in 1969 as an obligatory memorial. He is the patron saint of bowel disorders and is commemorated in the Church of England on July 15. His theology, blending Platonism and mysticism, contrasts with contemporaries like Thomas Aquinas, emphasizing affective devotion over purely intellectual pursuits. Pope Francis praised his view of creation as reflecting the Trinity in Laudato si’.

Works of Saint Bonaventure

Bonaventure Texts in Translation Series (Franciscan Institute Publications)

  1. On the Reduction of the Arts to Theology (De Reductione Artium ad Theologiam)
  2. Journey of the Soul into God (Itinerarium Mentis in Deum)
  3. Disputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity
  4. Disputed Questions on the Knowledge of Christ
  5. Writings Concerning the Franciscan Order
  6. Collations on the Ten Commandments
  7. Commentary on Ecclesiastes
  8. Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
  9. Breviloquium
  10. Writings on the Spiritual Life
    • The Threefold Way
    • On the Perfection of Life
    • On Governing the Soul
    • The Soliloquium: A Dialogue on the Four Spiritual Exercises
    • Prologue to the Commentary on Book II of the Sentences of Peter Lombard
    • Sermons: On the Way of Life, On Holy Saturday, On the Monday after Palm Sunday
  11. Commentary on the Gospel of John
  12. The Sunday Sermons of St. Bonaventure
  13. Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection
  14. Collations on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
  15. Defense of the Mendicants

Other Works

  1. The Life of Christ
  2. The Soul’s Journey into God
  3. The Tree of Life
  4. The Life of St. Francis
  5. Bringing Forth Christ: Five Feasts of the Child Jesus
  6. The Mystical Vine: A Treatise on the Passion of Our Lord
  7. Life of St. Francis of Assisi

  1. Devotion to the Crucifix: Bonaventure’s daily meditation on Christ’s Passion and prayers before the crucifix fueled his love for the Savior. Keep a crucifix in your space and pray before it daily, using ejaculations like, β€œWith my whole heart I love Thee, O Jesus, and it is bitter grief to me that I have offended Thee, O merciful God!” Reflect on Christ’s suffering to deepen your gratitude and love.

  2. Reverence for the Eucharist: Bonaventure’s tearful devotion during Mass and Communion reflected his love for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Examine your preparation and reverence for Communion. Purify your soul through confession, approach with reverence, and spend time in thanksgiving. Avoid receiving unworthily, as Saint Chrysostom warns that such sacrilege, as exemplified by Judas, invites grave consequences. Strive to receive Christ with a pure heart, mindful of His role as both Savior and Judge.

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