Saint Bonaventure

Saint Bonaventure (circa 1217-74), Christian theologian and minister general of the Franciscans; especially noted for his spiritual writings, he was called the Seraphic Doctor.

Bonaventure was born at Bagnoregio (near Viterbo, Italy), the son of John of Fidanza. Called John, he went to the university at Paris in 1235, where he studied under Alexander of Hales. He joined the Franciscans in 1243, taking the name Bonaventure and progressing in his theological studies to become a master (professor) of theology in 1254. During this period he wrote a commentary on Scripture, the Breviloquium, and, like his contemporary, Thomas Aquinas, worked to integrate Aristotelian insights into the Augustinian tradition. Bonaventure accepted much of Aristotle's scientific philosophy, but he rejected what he knew of Aristotle's metaphysics as insufficient because Aristotle was not guided by the light of Christian faith. The doctrine of the illumination of the human mind (the soul) by the divine—a means of identifying truth or falsity of judgment—he took from St. Augustine. His Journey of the Mind to God (1259) and his short mystical treatises reflect his concern with the way in which the soul recognizes and unites with God.

Noted for his learning and good judgment, Bonaventure was elected minister general (superior) of the Franciscans in 1257, at a time when the order was divided over how strictly it could, as an order, observe St. Francis's commitment to poverty. He healed the division and thus came to be regarded as the order's second founder. He wrote (1263) the official Life of St. Francis of Assisi, and he himself traveled and preached the Franciscan way of life.

Pope Gregory X (reigned 1271-76) made him cardinal archbishop of Albano in May 1273, and Bonaventure assisted in the preparations for a council at Lyons called to repair the breach with the Eastern church. He died at Lyons on July 15, 1274.

Pope Sixtus IV declared Bonaventure a saint in 1482, and in 1587 or 1588 Pope Sixtus V designated him a Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure's feast day is July 15.