Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life 

Bonaventure was born on 1221 at Bagnoregio, Tuscany, Italy to his parents, Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria di Ritella. He received the baptismal name of John (Giovanni). John had a serious illness and not even his father, who was a physician, believed that he would survive. His mother prayed for the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, who had been canonized a short time earlier. And John was cured.

Received His Masters Degree at 21

John went to the University of Paris when he was 14, where he studied theology under the English Franciscan, Alexander of Hales. After he had received the diploma of Master of Arts in 1243, John asked himself an important question: “What must I do with my life?” Captivated by the witness of the zeal of the Friars Minor in Paris, John asked to be received into the family of the followers of Saint Francis.

Entered Franciscans

In 1244, at the age of twenty-two, John entered the Franciscan Order and was named Bonaventure. After he made his vows, Bonaventure was sent to Paris to continue his studies in theology and philosophy. In Paris, he became a close friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas and received his Doctor of Theology degree, together with St. Thomas Aquinas. Like St. Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure enjoyed the friendship of the holy King, Saint Louis IX.

Bible Teacher

In 1248, Bonaventure began to teach the Bible. From 1251 to 1253, he lectured on the Sentences, a medieval theology textbook by Peter Lombard, an Italian theologian of the 12th century. Bonaventure taught University of Paris until 1257, He produced many works, notably commentaries on the Bible and the Sentences and the Breviloquium (“Summary”), which presented a summary of his theology. These works showed his deep understanding of Scripture and the Fathers of the early church—principally St. Augustine—and a wide knowledge of the philosophers, particularly Aristotle.

Preacher

Bonaventure was known as both a brilliant teacher and a powerful preacher. Bonaventure was particularly noted in his day as a man with the rare ability to reconcile diverse traditions in theology and philosophy. He united different doctrines in a synthesis containing his personal conception of truth as a road to the love of God.

“Second Founder” of Franciscans

At the age of 35, he was chosen Minister General of his Order and became known as its “second founder.” Bonaventure restored a perfect calm to the Order where peace had been disturbed by internal disagreements. He did much for his Order. Bonaventure wrote 500 sermons, created a commentary on the Rule, and composed The Life of St. Francis.

Appointed Cardinal Bishop

Bonaventure was nominated Archbishop of York by Pope Clement IV.  But he refused the honor. Gregory X appointed Bonaventure as Cardinal and Bishop of Albano.  In that position, he was asked to draw up the agenda for the 14th General Council of Lyons in 1274. However, Bonaventure died while the Council was still in session on July 15, 1274, and was buried at the Franciscan church in Lyons, France. Bonaventure was canonized in 1482 by the Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV and declared a Doctor (the “Seraphic Doctor”) of the Church in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V.

“Seraphic Doctor”

St. Bonaventure’s theology is always written with holy fervor and consistently focused on increasing the depth and intensity of the spiritual life.  Because of his Divine zeal, Bonaventure became known as the “Seraphic Doctor.”

Beatified:           Unknown

Canonized:        April 14, 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV

Feast Day:         July 15

Patron Saint:    Bowel and Digestive Disorder; Students

Source:

• • St. Bonaventure: Seraphic Doctor of the Church (catholicfire.blogspot.com)
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
  • Bonaventure – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

St. Bonaventure – YouTube Video (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – USA)