St.Bonaventura

 In the middle of July, the liturgical calendar commemorates St Bonaventure, bishop and teacher of the Church. Saint Bonaventure, also known by his birth name John Fidanza, was a respected monk and teacher of the Church. He was born around 1221 in Civita, part of Bagnoregio near Viterbo in Italy, and died on 15 July 1274 in Lyon, France. Among his attributes are a cross and a cardinal’s hat on a tree.

Pope Leo XII. called St. Bonaventure as “prince among all mystics”. Pope Sixtus V gave him the title “Doctor Seraphicus” (Seraphic Doctor) in recognition of his mystical religious activities. Along with Thomas Aquinas, with whom he was reportedly friends, Bonaventure is considered to be the most important theologian of scholasticism.

Bonaventure is also known as the second founder of the Franciscan order because he brought a new spirit to the order and reorganised its activities effectively. According to legend, his name was given to him when his mother brought him, a sick child, to St Francis of Assisi, who blessed and healed him. When he was five years old, his mother brought him to Francis again to thank him, and Francis reportedly exclaimed “Buona ventura” (What a happy event), which became his name.

Bonaventure joined the Franciscan order at a very young age. From 1236 to 1242, he studied in Paris, where he later obtained a doctorate in theology. In 1257, at the age of 36, he was appointed the seventh general of the Franciscan Order. He ran the order in Paris for 17 years, during which time he was known for his foresight and skill.

At the behest of Pope Gregory X, who appointed him cardinal of Albano in 1273, Bonaventure organised the Second Council of Lyon. He presided over the entire proceedings of the council from May to July 1274.