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[[Image:Saint Bonaventure.jpg|right|thumb| St. Bonaventure]]

[[Image:Saint Bonaventure.jpg|right|thumb| St. Bonaventure]]

'''St. Bonaventure'''  (b. 1221, d. July 15, 1274)  was an extraordinary [[Franciscan]] man of holiness and a miracle-worker. It was [[Alexander of Hales]] who said that Bonaventure seemed to have escaped the curse of Adam's sin. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02648c.htm St. Bonaventure] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> To know him was to [[love]] him. An active preacher, a renowned [[teacher]], and a good friend of [[St. Thomas Aquinas]]. Known as one of the greatest of theologians, Bonaventure's mystical writings constitute his chief title to fame. He is called the [[Seraphic]] Doctor and was proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]] by Pope Sextus V in 1588.

'''St. Bonaventure'''  (1221 – July 15, 1274)  was an extraordinary [[Franciscan]] man of holiness and a miracle-worker. It was [[Alexander of Hales]] who said that Bonaventure seemed to have escaped the curse of Adam's sin.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02648c.htm St. Bonaventure] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref> To know him was to [[love]] him. An active preacher, a renowned [[teacher]], and a good friend of [[St. Thomas Aquinas]]. Known as one of the greatest of theologians, Bonaventure's mystical writings constitute his chief title to fame. He is called the [[Seraphic]] Doctor and was proclaimed a [[Doctor of the Church]] by Pope Sextus V in 1588.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Born in Bagnorea, Tuscany Italy as Giavanni (John) to  father Giovanni di Fidanza and mother Ritella.  

Born in Bagnorea, Tuscany Italy as Giavanni (John) to  father Giovanni di Fidanza and mother Ritella.  

As a child, John was seriously ill and his mother begged [[St. Francis of Assisi]] to intercede through prayer. He recovered and was preserved from death. At his [[Baptism]] he was given the name Bonaventure, "Good fortune!"  As a young man, he joined the [[Roman]] Province of the Franciscans. Completed his education under tutelage of Alexander of Hales at [[Paris University]] and became a professor at the greatest school of theology in the medieval world. Bonaventure taught alongside St. Thomas Aquinas. Bonaventure was elected as minister general of the whole Franciscan Order at age 36 in 1257.

As a child, John was seriously ill and his mother begged [[St. Francis of Assisi]] to intercede through prayer. He recovered and was preserved from death. At his [[Baptism]] he was given the name Bonaventure, "Good fortune!"  As a young man, he joined the [[Roman]] Province of the Franciscans. Completed his education under tutelage of Alexander of Hales at [[Paris University]] and became a professor at the greatest school of theology in the medieval world. Bonaventure taught alongside St. Thomas Aquinas. Bonaventure was elected as minister general of the whole Franciscan Order at age 36 in 1257.

==Franciscan==

==Franciscan==

He initially restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions within the Order. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=169 St. Bonaventure] Catholic Online</ref> He also assisted at the translation of the relics of [[St. Anthony of Padua]].  Composed a book on ''the life of St. Francis''. Made an impression for his authentically Franciscan devotion towards the Passion of our [[Savior]]; amongst his works is to be found an office of the Passion which he composed for the personal use of the saintly [[King Louis IX]]. <ref>[http://www.cin.org/saints/bonaventure.html St. Bonaventure 1221-1274] Catholic Information Network</ref>  According to Bonaventurian, the practical goal of spiritual endeavor for all is a lofty contemplative prayer, union with the divine wisdom. Was selected as Archbishopric of York by [[Pope Clement IV]] but in humility refused the position. Eight years later, [[Pope Gregory X]] compelled him to accept the see of Albano and made him a Cardinal.

He initially restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions within the Order.<ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=169 St. Bonaventure] Catholic Online</ref> He also assisted at the translation of the relics of [[St. Anthony of Padua]].  Composed a book on ''the life of St. Francis''. Made an impression for his authentically Franciscan devotion towards the Passion of our [[Savior]]; amongst his works is to be found an office of the Passion which he composed for the personal use of the saintly [[King Louis IX]].<ref>[http://www.cin.org/saints/bonaventure.html St. Bonaventure 1221-1274] Catholic Information Network</ref>  According to Bonaventurian, the practical goal of spiritual endeavor for all is a lofty contemplative prayer, union with the divine wisdom. Was selected as Archbishopric of York by [[Pope Clement IV]] but in humility refused the position. Eight years later, [[Pope Gregory X]] compelled him to accept the see of Albano and made him a Cardinal.

==Death==

==Death==