Saint Bonaventure

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Feast day: July 15

In the Lazio region of central Italy, near Bagnoregio, St. Bonaventure, also referred to as "the seraphic doctor," was born in 1221. Although he was given the name John at his baptism, Saint Bonaventure adopted the Franciscan name Bonaventure when he was 22 years old. Although little is known about his early years, we do know that his parents were Maria Ritell and Giovanni di Fidanza. It appears that his father was a wealthy physician. Saint Francis is credited for curing Bonaventure of a serious sickness when he was a youngster, despite the fact that he passed away just five years after the saint was born.

Bonaventure was renowned for his capacity to harmonize various philosophical and theological systems. He combined several ideologies into a synthesis that included his own understanding of truth as a path leading to God's love. The most well-known of St. Bonaventure's spiritual and ascetic writings is "The Soul's Journey into God."

St. Bonaventure was chosen in 1257 to lead the Friars Minor as their superior. He spent 17 years in this role, which he filled with serenity and order. Because of how significantly he affected society, he is sometimes considered the second founder of the Franciscan order.

Pope Clement IV appointed him Archbishop of York, but he asked to be spared from having to accept that honor. Gregory X forced him to accept a bigger one—that of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of Rome's six suffragan Sees. He resigned from his position as General of the Franciscan Order prior to his passing. On July 15, 1274, while helping out at the Second Council of Lyons, he passed away.

Prayer of Saint Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.

Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.

May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God;

may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.