Saint Bonaventure

Life story

Bonaventure, baptised Giovanni di Fidanza, was born at Bagnoregio in Italy, around 1217 to 1221. He studied arts at Paris and around 1243 joined the Franciscans. At Paris he continued studying theology under the friars' masters, and from around 1253 to 1257 he served there as a professor of theology.

In 1257 he was elected minister general of the Franciscans at a time when the order was divided over how to live poverty. He held the post for almost seventeen years, drew up the Constitutions of Narbonne in 1260 and wrote the official biography of Francis, the Legenda maior, which the order adopted as its authorised life. In 1259, on Mount La Verna, he wrote the Journey of the Mind into God.

In 1273 Pope Gregory X made him a cardinal and bishop of Albano. He was entrusted with preparing the Second Council of Lyon in 1274, where the Western and Eastern Churches attempted to unite. Bonaventure died at Lyon on 15 July 1274, in the middle of the council, in the same year as Thomas Aquinas.

Pope Sixtus IV canonised him in 1482, and Sixtus V declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1588 with the title Seraphic Doctor. His writings on theology, mysticism and religious life are still read today. His feast is kept on 15 July, and the town of Bagnoregio, which preserves his memory, still celebrates him as its most famous son.

Works and witness

• Joined the Franciscans around 1243
• Taught theology at Paris around 1253-1257
• Minister general of the Franciscans from 1257
• Wrote the Legenda maior and the Journey of the Mind into God
• Made cardinal in 1273, declared a Doctor of the Church in 1588

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Bonaventure, Itinerarium mentis in Deum
• Bonaventure, Legenda maior of Saint Francis

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.