The Church gladly celebrates today the Feastday of St. Bonaventure. He was a contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas (they received their Doctoral degrees at the same time) and he also developed a friendship with St. Louis, King of France. In 1257, St. Bonaventure was chosen to serve as the superior of the Friars Minor (the Franciscans). In this position, which he filled for 17 years, he brought peace and order to the community. His impact was so great that today he is still considered “the second founder” of the Franciscans.
Like his model, Saint Francis, Jesus was the center of everything for St. Bonaventure—his teaching, his administration, his writing, and his life.
The depth and passion of St. Bonaventure’s theology follows in the tradition of St. Augustine, seeking always to increase the intensity of the spiritual life. But while St. Bonaventure esteemed the use of one’s intellect to reflect on the mysteries of faith, his famous work, Soul’s Journey into God, teaches that human wisdom pales in comparison to the “spiritual illumination” which God freely offers to the faithful Christian. By allowing oneself to be enlightened by rays of spiritual light, one is enabled, in his words, “to return to the Most High, and rejoice in God’s love, as revealed in Christ.”
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“Let meditation of Christ’s life be your one and only aim, your rest, your food, your desire, and your study.” St. Bonaventure
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We rejoice with our pastor Fr. Mark today as he celebrates 33 years of priestly service! Please continue to support him with your prayers and your good example.
