The date of Bonaventure's birth is variously given as 1217, 1218, and 1221. All agree that he was born in the Italian village of Fidanza in Bagnoreggio, an area of Tuscany. He was given John, or Giovanni, after his father. He took the name Bonaventure when he entered orders, a name which harked back to a miraculous healing he received while still a small boy. He had fallen seriously ill, and his mother brought him to Francis of Assisi to ask for healing. After Francis prayed for little Giovanni, he reportedly cried, "O Buona ventura!" - that is, "O good fortune!"

Given such a dramatic miraculous healing by Francis himself, it is no surprise that Bonaventure decided to become a Franciscan and that he had a great devotion to Francis throughout his life. He was educated by Franciscans in Fidanza, then pursued further studies in Paris, becoming a master of theology in 1243. After he had taken final vows in the Franciscan Order in 1244, he was sent back to Paris to study under Alexander of Hales, and Englishman who was one of the most famous teacher's in Europe at the time, who also happened to be a Franciscan. One of his classmates was Thomas Aquinas; indeed, the two friends received their Doctorates on the same day in 1254, then were both appointed to positions at the University of Paris. Aquinas was to hold the Dominican chair, and Bonaventure the Franciscan.

However, the life of an academic was not to be his. After only three years of teaching at the university, when he was only thirty-five, he was chosen Minister General of the Franciscan Order, a position which forced him to resign his academic chair and which he held until shortly before his death. One of the most important things he did for the Franciscans was to write a definitive biography of Francis. This book then became the basis for Giotto's famous frescos on the life of Francis in the Basilica in Assisi.

Pope Clement IV tried to make Bonaventure Archbishop of York, but Bonaventure wanted no such honor and begged that be allowed to decline the position and remain the General of the Franciscans. In 1273, however, Pope Gregory X compelled him to be named a Cardinal and to take up an office in Rome. In the picture on this page, the red hat which Bonaventure is wearing is the hat of a cardinal; however, he is also still wearing his plain brown Franciscan robes. He resigned as Minister General of the Franciscans in 1274, and died on July 15 of that same year, while attending the Second Council of Lyons.

Prayer of Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my

soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee. Grant

that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and

every delightful taste. May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the

sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the

fulness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the

praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverence to the end; and be Thou alone ever my

hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my

help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

Bibliography:

Works by Bonaventure:

The Journey of the Mind to God - Bonaventure's most famous work traces the ladder of ascent which the soul must travel in order to have a mystical experience of the presence of God.

The Reduction of the Arts to Philosophy - a short treatise on why theology is the most important of all areas of study

The Breviloquium - a summary of his theology

A good anthology of some of Bonaventure's spiritual writings is Bonaventure: Mystic of God's Word, edited by Timothy Johnson

Works about Bonaventure:

St. Bonaventure by Efrem Bettoni - a popular introduction to his life and thought

The Philosophy of St. Bonaventure by Etienne Gilson - a very thorough and scholarly introduction to Bonaventure's philosophical theology

An Introduction to Bonaventure by J. Bourgerol - a survey of Bonaventure's writings

Links:

Here's a page about Bonaventure maintained by the Franciscans, containing links to many of his writings: http://www.franciscan-archive.org/bonaventura/

Catholic Encyclopedia article: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02648c.htm