St. Bonaventure
1221-1274
📅 Feast Day: July 15
📖 Life Timeline
1221
Born in 1221
1221
BONAVENTURE (St) Bp
1274
BONAVENTURE (St) Bp
1273
shop ‘of York, but refused the honour
1482
moting unity among the Friars Minor
1274
Died — 1274
1482
Canonized — 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV
✝ Biography
BONAVENTURE (St) Bp. Dr. O.F.M. R.M. July 14 1221-1274. Born at Bagnorea, near Vi-
THE BOOK
terbo. His baptismal name was John. The name Bonaventure (good fortune) was given to him by St Francis of Assisi, who cured him miraculously when he was a small child, and exclaimed: O buona ventura! At the age of twenty he became a Franciscan, and at thirty-six minister- general of the Order. He was nominated archbishop ‘of York, but refused the honour. Finally in 1273 he was created cardinal bishop of Albano. He died during the general council of Lyons. A disciple of Alexander of Hales and a friend and admirer of St Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure is known as the ‘‘Seraphic Doctor,” and was officially given the title of Doctor of the Church by Sixtus V. Besides theological and philosophical works, St Bonaventure has left us sundry ascetical treatises, and a touchingly beau- tiful life of St Francis of Assisi written with the aim of promoting unity among the Friars Minor. Canonized in 1482. Cf. Att. — Baud. — Holw.
BONAVENTURE GRAU (BI) C. O.F.M. A.C. Sept. 11 1620-1684. Born at Riudoms, near Barce- lona, left a widower after a short period of married life, he joined the Friars Mi
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: The Franciscan Order, theologians, and those seeking mystical union with God. Doctor of the Church.
💬 Words of the Saint
I know nothing, I want to know nothing, but to Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
📜 Key Facts
Born
1221
Died
1274
Feast Day
July 15
Canonized
1482 by Pope Sixtus IV
🕊 Legacy
Bonaventure's 'Journey of the Mind to God' is a classic of mystical theology. He reformed the Franciscan Order. He tried to heal the Great Schism between East and West. He is one of the greatest Franciscan thinkers.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Journey of the Mind to God
On the Ascent to God
The mind ascends to God through the vestiges of His creation, through the image of His grace, and through the likeness of His glory. The vestiges show us God's power, the image shows us God's wisdom, the likeness shows us God's goodness. Through these three, the soul is led to the contemplation of God.
— St. Bonaventure
📖 Journey of the Mind to God
On the Contemplation of God
O God, who art the highest, the best, the truest, the most beautiful, the most powerful, the most wise, thou art my God, thou art my God, I thirst for thee. When shall I come and appear before the face of God? O when shall I see thee, when shall I taste thee, when shall I enjoy thee?
— St. Bonaventure
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