The references to Bonaventure's life contained in the works of Salimbene (1282), Bernard of Besse (c. 1380), Bl. It must, however, be regarded only as incidental. ordinis minorum de observantia, Brescia: 1495, Cuestiones disputadas acerca de la His aim was to promote harmony in essentials. al cura di Diego Fusaro (italiano), Bonaventura, St Bonaventure: Literary Work and Doctrine . "vain trifles or useless cavils, nor does he mix as do so many others, worldly digressions with serious theological discussions. In 1562 Bonaventure's shrine was plundered by the Huguenots and the urn containing his body was burned in the public square. The last named wrote a "Summa quaestionum S. Bonaventura. in the Biographies and Articles linked at the top of this page there is: St Bonaventure today, this is an ardent prayer for union with Christ. COMMENTARIA IN QUATUOR LIBROS SENTENTIARUM, The The Catholic Encyclopedia. In 1265 Clement IV, by a Bull dated 23 November, nominated Bonaventure to the vacant Archbishopric of York, but the saint, in keeping with his singular humility, steadfastly refused this honour and the pope yielded. (Latin: c/o Babes-Bolai University, The "Breviloquium", written before 1257, is, as its name implies, a shorter work. Bonaventure's exegetical works were highly esteemed in the Middle Ages and still remain a treasure house of thoughts and treatises. English / Latin (BEBF) / Español (BEBF) / Français  links to St. Bonaventure on the Internet, and is updated regularly. elettronico). Of this "Legenda Major", as it came to be called, Bonaventure made an abridgment arranged for use in choir and known as the "Legenda Minor". "This", he adds, "is the reason why St. Bonaventure has been abandoned by those Scholastics who are devoid of piety, of whom the number is alas! St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) is known as the Seraphic Doctor in honor of one of the basic qualities of his teaching—the purist love. These 7 conferences on the gifts of the Holy Spirit are a succinct exposition Ninth Conference in Latin & English (78k): HTML The passages in Bonaventure's works on which such an opinion might be founded only go to prove that he did not regard philosophy as the chief or last end of scientific research and speculation. The heavy responsibilities which he bore till within a few weeks of his death were almost incompatible with further study and even precluded his completing what he had begun before his thirty-sixth year. Meanwhile Bonaventure had been charged by Gregory X to prepare the questions to be discussed at the Fourteenth Oecumenical Council, which opened at Lyons 7 May, 1274. Bonaventure, as Hefele remarks, united in himself the two elements whence proceed whatever was noble and sublime, great and beautiful, in the Middle Ages, viz., tender piety and profound learning. Bonaventure, however, never sacrifices truth to devotion, but his tendency to prefer an opinion which arouses devotion to a dry and uncertain speculation may go far towards explaining not a little of the widespread popularity his writings enjoyed among his contemporaries and all succeeding ages. ", he answers in the negative. Saint Bonaventure, ; canonized April 14, 1482; feast day July 15), leading medieval theologian, minister general of the Franciscan order, and cardinal bishop of Albano. About this time (1264) Bonaventure founded at Rome the Society of the Gonfalone in honour of the Blessed Virgin which, if not the first confraternity instituted in the Church, as some have claimed, was certainly one of the earliest. Works of St. Bonaventure: Writings Concerning the Franciscan Order (Works of saint bonaventure) - Kindle edition by Monti, Dominic V., George Marcil. He was buried on the evening following his death in the church of the Friars Minor at Lyons, being honoured with a splendid funeral which was attended by the pope, the King of Aragon, the cardinals, and the other members of the council. Francis of Fabriano (d. 1322), Angelo Clareno (d. 1337), Ubertino of Casale (d. 1338), Bartholomew of Pisa (d. 1399) and the "Chronicle of the XXIV Generals" (c. 1368), are in vol. in fol.). Doctrin.) The Franciscan Order has ever regarded Bonaventure as one of the greatest Doctors and from the beginning his teaching found many distinguished expositors within the order, among the earliest being his own pupils, John Peckham later Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew of Aquasparta, and Alexander of Alexandria (d. 1314), both of whom became ministers general of the order. Bonaventura (Italiano), : brami del tesso di S. Bonaventura verità indubitabile. does offer a profoundly catholic corrective to the method of critique, which St. Bonaventure and Works of St. Bonaventure Sort by Featured Best Selling Name: A-Z Name: Z-A Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Oldest to Newest Newest to Oldest New In the latter year he convoked his fourth general chapter at Assisi, in which it was enacted that a Mass be sung every Saturday throughout the order in honour of the Blessed Virgin, not, however, in honour of her Immaculate Conception as Wadding among others has erroneously stated. Cristo: by St. Conférence sur le Mépris du Monde He is … The introduction to this pernicious book, which proclaimed the approaching dispensation of the Spirit that was to replace the Law of Christ, was falsely attributed to Bl. Nihil Obstat. This aim was surely legitimate even though from a critical standpoint the work may not be a perfect biography. It is reproduced here in electronic form, in English translation. As a whole, it is essentially a legenda pacis, compiled mainly with a view to pacifying the unhappy discord still ravaging the order. Bonaventure's exegetical works were highly esteemed in the Middle Ages and still remain a treasure house of thoughts and treatises. Others, however, regard the decree in question as a purely liturgical ordinance intended to secure uniformity in the choir "legends". Though he severely criticized the defects of Aristotle, he is said to have quoted more frequently from the latter than any former Scholastic had done. FATHER OF THE COUNCIL OF LYONS, (67 k) : HTML While basing his doctrine on that of the old school, Bonaventure borrowed not a little from the new. For the rest, the psychology of Bonaventure differs in no essential point from the common teaching of the Schoolmen. has so derogated the philosophies of knowledge since the days of Rene There is also an answer by Bonaventure to some questions concerning the Rule, a treatise on the guidance of novices, and an opuscule in which Bonaventure states why the Friars Minor preach and hear confessions, besides a number of letters which give us a special insight into the saint's character. What the "Breviloquium" is to Scholasticism, the "De Triplici Via" is to mysticism: a perfect compendium of all that is best in it. the Banner of St Sepulchre from the Madonna. Des Sept Chemins de l'Eternité As a matter of fact, the half of one volume of the ten comprising the Quaracchi edition suffices to contain Bonaventure's ascetic and mystic writings. He rejects the doctrine of physical, and admits only a moral, efficacy in the sacraments. Bonaventure published several commentaries on Scripture. Those familiar with the catalogues of European libraries are aware that no writer since the Middle Ages had been more widely read or copied than Bonaventure. Péchés Capitaux exposition of spiritual-theology for use of the friars of his order. (JesusMarie.com), New English Translation sententiarum Petri Lombardi, :  Se l'essere di Dio sia una His treatise on the sacraments is largely practical and is characterized by a distinctly devotional element. This title seems to have been first given to him in 1333 in the Prologue of the "Pantheologia" by Raynor of Pisa, O.P. Bonaventure’s miraculous raising of a boy from the dead. of the pages of Vol. In answer to the question: "Would the Incarnation have taken place if Adam had not sinned? Also note Amazon.com sells this Sixtus V, however, founded a special chair at Rome for the study of St. Bonaventure; such chairs also existed in several universities, notably at Ingolstadt, Salzburg, Valencia, and Osuna. It is a bold thing to steal another’s work, but even Thus while he himself accepts the literal interpretations of the first chapter of Genesis, Bonaventure acknowledges the admissibility of a different one and refers with admiration to the figurative explanation propounded by St. Augustine. It was probably soon after this chapter that Bonaventure composed his "Apologia pauperum", in which he silences Gerard of Abbeville who by means of an anonymous libel had revived the old university feud against the Friars. Home; Books; Search; Support. Bonaventure." It is perhaps the work which will best give a popular notion of Bonaventure's theology; in it his powers are seen at their best. Bonaventure himself tells us (Legenda S. Francisci Prolog.) The exact cause of his death is unknown, but if we may credit the chronicle of Peregrinus of Bologna, Bonaventure's secretary, which has recently (1905) been recovered and edited, the saint was poisoned. His feast day is July 15. St. Bonaventure's aim was to present a general portrait of the holy founder which, by the omission of certain points that had given rise to controversy, should be acceptable to all parties. Francis of Fabriano (d. 1322), his contemporary and auditor, bears witness that Bonaventure's renown as a preacher almost surpassed his fame as a teacher. As Sixtus V aptly expresses it: "In writing he united to the highest erudition an equal amount of the most ardent piety; so that whilst enlightening his readers he also touched their hearts penetrating to the inmost recesses of their souls" (Bull, Triumphantis Jerusalem). were discovered and corrected. Soliloque The Standish Library's holdings on Franciscan history are extensive. Nearly five hundred authentic sermons of Bonaventure have come down to us; the greater part of them were delivered in Paris before the university while Bonaventure was professor there, or after he had become minister general. Below are some of Bonaventure’s writings, along with some things that his contemporaries and biographers have said about him. Considered in itself, philosophy is, according to Bonaventure, a true science, prior in point of time to theology. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The references to Bonaventure's life contained in the works of Salimbene (1282), Bernard of Besse (c. 1380), Bl. They have been completely superseded by the celebrated critical edition published by the Friars Minor at Quaracchi, near Florence. This derivation is highly improbable; it seems based on a late fifteenth-century legend. juli: H. Bonaventura, bisschop en kerkleraar, San Sanctuaire We have no details of Bonaventure's life between 1266 and 1269. Bonaventure, however, never sacrifices truth to devotion, but his tendency to prefer an opinion which arouses devotion to a dry and uncertain speculation may go far towards explaining not a little of the widespread popularity his writings enjoyed among his contemporaries and all succeeding ages. : Published by the Franciscan Archive, First Conference in Latin & English Triumph of the Catholic Intelligence: St. Bonaventure, St. Albert the It is certain that Bonaventure was sent from the Roman Province, to which he belonged, to complete his studies at the University of Paris under Alexander of Hales, the great founder of the Franciscan School. No details of Bonaventure's youth have been preserved. This was the first step towards the canonization of the holy king, who had been a special friend of Bonaventure, and at whose request Bonaventure composed his "Office of the Passion". In The Catholic Encyclopedia. It was certainly borne by others before the Seraphic Doctor. Perhaps he inclined more, on the whole, to some general views of Plato than to those of Aristotle, but he cannot therefore be called a Platonist. Nothing is known of Bonaventure's parents save their names: Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritella. 1, a. Bonaventure did not intend in these twenty-one discourses to explain the work of the six days, but rather to draw some analogous instructions from the first chapter of Genesis, as a warning to his auditors against some errors of the day. discusses growth in the spiritual life, and reveals the wonderful devotion this Santo al cura di F. Diani (italiano, con immagine), Bonaventura In addition to the images Giovanni Fidanza:  la sua filosofia (italiano), Giovanni Fidanza Doctor of the Church, Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, Minister General of the Friars Minor, born at Bagnorea in the vicinity of Viterbo in 1221; died at Lyons, 15 July, 1274. Between these two conflicting opinions the truth seems to be that this edict was nothing more than another heroic attempt to wipe out the old quarrels and start afresh. De castitate et munditia sacerdotum, Paris: 1495? Les Bouquets de la Passion The Works of Bonaventure: Cardinal, Seraphic Doctor, and Saint By St. Bonaventure; José de Vinck St. Anthony Guild Press, vol.1, 1960 PS PRIMARY SOURCE A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides first-hand or direct evidence on a topic. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02648c.htm. The latter work, which formed the delight of Gerson for more than thirty years, and from which Bl. Spirituelles du Saint Bonaventure, St Bonaventure In the first Bonaventure publishes the unedited facts that he had been able to gather at Assisi and elsewhere; in the other he merely abridges and repeats what others, and especially Celano, had already recorded. It was written, superiorum praecepto (at the command of his superiors) when he was only twenty-seven and is a theological achievement of the first rank. For the rest, the psychology of Bonaventure differs in no essential point from the common teaching of the Schoolmen. To be sure Bonaventure, like all the Scholastics, occasionally put forward opinions not strictly correct in regard to questions not yet defined or clearly settled, but even here his teaching represents the most profound and acceptable ideas of his age and marks a notable stage in the evolution of knowledge. OFM (Español c/o BEBF), Prayer after Communion, It was Alexander of Hales who said that Bonaventure seemed to have escaped the curse of Adam's sin. (Italiano), COMPLETELY REVISED (2005) English Translation with parallel Latin Text: Commentaria in Quatuor Libros Sententiarum, from the Quaracchi Edition, Commentarius in primum librum This appears especially in his treatment of the Holy Eucharist. Saint Bonaventure. According to Bonaventure, materia prima is not a mere indeterminatum quid, but contains the rationes seminales infused by the Creator at the beginning, and tends towards the acquisition of those special forms which it ultimately assumes. -- On the Gift of Understanding (Off site) Writings of St. Bonaventure: Franciscan Archives: Several writings by St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church, in English, Latin and EspaÒol. This well-known work is composed of two parts of very unequal value. But Bonaventure's treatment of this question marked a distinct advance, and he did more perhaps than anyone before Scotus to clear the ground for its correct presentation. A fourth edition appeared at Venice (13 vols. In addition to his commentary on the Fourth Gospel, Bonaventure composed "Collationes in Joannem", ninety-one conferences on subjects relating to it. That its inception was so long delayed was mainly due to the deplorable dissensions within the order after Bonaventure's death. There is a degree of prayer in which ecstasy occurs. Only a small part of Bonaventure's writings is properly mystical. He preached before popes and kings, in Spain and Germany, as well as in France and Italy. There are no grounds, however, for the assertion that Bonaventure in this chapter prescribed the celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the order. French & Spanish editions of St. Bonaventure's Writings: Please note, that The One cannot but regret the circumstances of this decree, but when it is recalled that the appeal of the contending parties was ever to the words and actions of St. Francis as recorded in the earlier "legends", it would be unjust to accuse the chapter of "literary vandalism" in seeking to proscribe the latter. Sancti, Speculum disciplinae ad novicios, Paris: 1501. Without exception, every word of philosophy Bonaventure ever wrote iscontained in works explicitly religious—in sermons, works ofspiritual direction, and theology. At the General Audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall on Wednesday,10 March [2010], the Holy Father continued the commentary on St Bonaventure, which he began the previous week, focusing on the the Seraphic Doctor's "remarkable theology of history and progress". Bonaventure twice addressed the assembled Fathers, on 18 May, during a session of the Council, when he preached on Baruch 5:5, and on 29 June, during pontifical Mass celebrated by the pope. That its inception was so long delayed was mainly due to the deplorable dissensions within the order after Bonaventure's death. It was reprinted with but slight emendations at Metz in 1609 and at Lyons in 1678. Other well-known commentaries are by John of Erfurt (d. 1317), Verilongus (d. 1464), Brulifer (d. c. 1497), de Combes (d. 1570), Trigosus (d. 1616), Coriolano (d. 1625), Zamora (d. 1649), Bontemps (d. 1672), Hauzeur (d. 1676), Bonelli (d. 1773), etc. St. Antoninus, Denis the Carthusian, Louis of Granada, and Father Claude de la Colombière, among others, have also noted this feature of Bonaventure's writings. Although he adopted the hylomorphic theory of matter and form, Bonaventure, following Alexander of Hales, whose Summa he appears to have had before him in composing his own works, does not limit matter to corporeal beings, but holds that one and the same kind of matter is the substratum of spiritual and corporeal beings alike. Saint. He is also a Doctor of the Church! The pope himself presided at the council, but he confided the direction of its deliberations to Bonaventure, especially charging him to confer with the Greeks on the points relating to the abjuration of their schism. 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