July 15 + Saint Bonaventure

Bonaventure played an important role in both the medieval Church and the history of the Franciscan Order. A senior faculty member at the University of Paris, Bonaventure certainly captured the hearts of his students through his academic skills and insights. But more importantly, he captured their hearts through his love for Jesus and the Church. Like his model, Saint Francis, Jesus was the center of everything — his teaching, his administration, his writing, and his life. So much so, that he was given the title “Seraphic Doctor.”

Born in Bagnorea, Italy in 1221, Bonaventure was baptized John, but received the name Bonaventure when he became a Franciscan at the age of 22. While St. Francis of Assisi died about five years after Bonaventure's birth, he is credited with healing Bonaventure of a serious illness as well as giving him his Franciscan name. John’s mother pleaded for help to St. Francis who prayed for John’s recovery. Foreseeing the future greatness of the little John cried out "O buona ventura” which means “O good fortune."

At the age of 22, Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. Having made his vows, he was sent to Paris to complete his studies under the celebrated doctor Alexander of Hales, an Englishman and a Franciscan. In Paris he became the close friend of the great St. Thomas Aquinas, with whom he received the degree of Doctor. Together they also enjoyed being friends with the holy King of France, St. Louis.

At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed the biography "The Life of St. Francis" as well as numerous mystical and ascetical treatises, most famously, “The Soul's Journey into God.” He was nominated Archbishop of York by Pope Clement IV, but he begged not to be forced to accept that dignity. Gregory X obliged him to take upon himself a greater one, that of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of the six suffragan Sees of Rome. But a little over a year later, while participating in the Second Council of Lyon, Bonaventure suddenly died on July 15, 1274. There is speculation that he was poisoned.

Bonaventure left behind a structured and renewed Franciscan Order and a body of work all of which glorifies his major love — Jesus.