St. Bonaventure was born about the year 1218 in Bagnorea in Tuscany. He studied philosophy and theology at Paris and, having earned the title Master, he taught his fellow Franciscans with great success. His reputation for scholarship and holiness elected Minister General of the Order, a position he filled with prudence and wisdom for 17 years.
While Bonaventure guided the order as its Minister General he was instrumental, through his writings, in bringing the order back to a deeper love of the way of St. Francis.
After his years of service as Minister General, he was made bishop and cardinal of Albno. He died during the Council of Lyons in 1274. His writings, which included biblical commentaries and ascetical and spiritual treaties, did much to illuminate the study of both theology and philosophy. Bonaventure is known as the Seraphic Doctor and as the Devout Doctor.
When Pope Gregory X heard of the death of Bonaventure he
commented that the saint was "A man of eminent learning and
eloquence, and of outstanding holiness, he was known for his
kindness, approachableness, gentleness and compassion"
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 widsom 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.