Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, A.D. 1274
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 14, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He is surnamed the seraphic doctor. His devout mother was careful to inspire into him, from the cradle, most ardent sentiments of piety, and to inure him betimes to assiduous practices of self-denial, humility, obedience, and devotion. At twenty-two years of age, he entered into the Order of St. Francis. He referred all his studies to the divine honour, and the sanctification of his own soul, and may be said to have made them a continued prayer. When St. Thomas Aquinas asked him in what books he had learned his sacred science, pointing to his crucifix he said: "This is the source of all my knowledge. I study only Jesus Christ, and him crucified." He prepared himself to receive the holy order of priesthood, by long fasts, humiliations, and fervent prayer. At the age of thirty-five, he was chosen general of his Order. He was afterwards created cardinal, and consecrated bishop of Albano by Pope Gregory X. He assisted at the general council of Lyons, but was taken ill before its conclusion. The Pope himself gave him Extreme Unction. He kept his eyes constantly fixed on a crucifix, till he expired in great tranquillity on the 14th of July, in the year 1274, in the fifth-third year of his age. It was said of him in his funeral panegyric, that "no one ever beheld him, who did not conceive a great esteem and affection for him; for he was gentle, affable, humble, pleasing to all, compassionate, prudent, chaste, and adorned with all virtues."
Pray for all the bishops of Christ's church, that they may follow the spirit of this prelate; pray for all the college of cardinals, of which he was an honorable member; that by exemplary piety they may draw down the blessings of heaven upon them. Pray that you may be faithful in your own station. There is no condition but what has many obligations annexed to it; few are solicitous to consider them all, and fewer still perform them. Heavenly light and grace are necessary for this; reflect on your own wants, and let your prayers be proportioned to them." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
- "Ah, yes! "It is the Mass that matters" for us Catholics; and herein lies the explanation of the sinister efforts of the enemies of our holy Faith to render the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice impossible. For, says St. Bonaventure, "take away the Sacrament, and what will there be left in the world but error and infidelity?" (...) "But by this Sacrament," continues the Saint, "the Church stands, faith is confirmed, the Christian religion and Divine worship flourish." (On the Preparation for Mass, I i 3)" Source: The psychology of Practical Godlessness The American Catholic Quarterly Review, Volume 47 edited by James Andrew Corcoran, Patrick John Ryan, Edmond Francis Prendergast
A Prayer of St. Bonaventure. (After Holy Communion)
INSPIRE, most dear Lord Jesus, I beseech thee, inspire into every recess of my heart, and into every tendency of my affections, thy dear and saving love; thy true, thy calm, thy holy, and apostolic charity; so that my soul may ever long for thee; may ever raise itself in spirit to thy heavenly abode; may ever desire to be dissolved and to be with thee.
Oh grant that my soul may ever tend towards thee, thou bread of angels; thou refreshment of holy hearts; thou most needful of all daily bread, containing all sweetness and delight. For thee, on whom the angels joy to look, may my heart ever aspire, and my soul ever feel the effects of thy presence! Oh may it ever long for thee, thou fountain of life, thou fountain of wisdom and knowledge, thou fountain of eternal light-overflowing with the sweets and the riches of the kingdom of heaven. May my soul ever seek thee, ever long for thee, tend towards thee, and find thee. May it meditate on thee, may it speak of thee, may it do all things to the praise and glory of thy name; with humility and discretion, with delight and affection, with perseverance unto the end.
O my God! do thou alone be
my hope, my trust, my wealth, my delight, my rest and peace, my
pleasure, and my aim. Do thou be my food and my refreshment; my refuge
and my assistance; my comfort, my wisdom, and my treasure; in which my
mind and my heart may be firmly and immovably fixed, now and for ever. Amen.
