Born in Italy in 1221 his Baptismal name was Giovanni and his parents were Giovanni and Maria di Fidanza. 

His father was a physician but, as a young child he became very ill and St. Francis of Assisi healed him. 

In his early 20s, he entered the Franciscan order, taking the name Bonaventure and studying at the University of Paris. 

In 1263, he received his Masters Degree along with classmate St. Thomas Aquinas. He ended up teaching at the University and became known for his kindness and warmth. 

Like St. Francis, Jesus was at the heart of everything Bonaventure did and he became known as the “Seraphic Doctor”. 

Bonaventure was one of the great writers of The Church and his many works include: “Commentary of The Gospel of St. Luke” and ”The Mind’s Road to God”. 

Eventually, his teaching came to an end when his fellow Friars elected him to be their General Minister, a position he would hold for nearly two decades. 

His tenure was not without difficult days, especially when a group of Friars suggested that The Holy Spirit was replacing Jesus. 

Fundamental to his leadership was Bonaventure’s focus on the vision, insight, and spirituality of St. Francis. He connected the dots between Church Doctrine and the everyday pastoral works the Friars were called to provide to the people in the pews. 

Pope Gregory X made him a Cardinal but he served for just one year, dying on this day in 1274. 

St. Bonaventure, please pray for us.