Great Saint and Excellent Theologian

Now and then a shining light appears on the scene that leaves an unforgettable legacy of holiness and virtue. Our calendar of saints testifies to the greatness of Sts. Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Liseux, John Vianney, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Venerable Pope John Paul II, among thousands of other names. In our daily walk we certainly come across those who though not formally canonized by the Church are no less in sanctity and virtue. As priest I have found saints among us in our pews.

The shining saintly light for this week in Ordinary Time is St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio whose memorial is July 15th. This 13th century, Italian Franciscan spiritual mystic and theologian, Bishop and Cardinal is indeed a light among our Franciscan brothers and sisters but a wonderful gift to the Church as a whole. Tagged the “Seraphic Doctor” of the Church, Bonaventure was a brilliant scholar, a friend of no less than St. Thomas Aquinas, but a man of great humility and holiness. In fact, he had what the world might recognize as everything going for him, with the exception of personal wealth, hardly a problem for him though.

After his death during the Second Ecumenical Council of Lyon where he proved to be both a mediator and stellar example of Bishop and Cardinal of the Church, an anonymous papal notary composed these words about this outstanding light who Pope Benedict XVI referred to as a “great saint and excellent theologian:”

The eulogy went as this: “Good, affable, pious and merciful man, full of virtues, loved by God and by men . . . God, in fact, had given him such grace, that all those who saw him were invaded by a love that the heart could not conceal.” It was said, on top of this, that he was handsome, of profound piety, and a skilled administrator. What more could one ask?

His writings are extensive which mark him as one of the greatest thinkers of the 13th century. It was an age to explore the use of human reason and the doctrines of Christianity. Bonaventure was a scholar, a debater and a scholastic. Bonaventure’s theology was Christo-centric (Christ centered). Perhaps what we are more familiar with today in the ecumenical spirit of Vatican II, Bonaventure might not have been a leader within the dialogue between Christian and non-Christian religious bodies. He was unapologetic about Christianity and Christ himself in the role of salvation. Yet, neither should we apologize for our beliefs. While a theologian and scholar, Bonaventure was also marked by great mysticism. Such rarified air in which these great saints walk may find some difficulty for us who trod the path of daily life.

To have lived in the 13th century as Bonaventure did was likely an age in which faith and culture were wedded together in a way that we rarely see today. Unfortunately, even here in America, the bastion of religious freedom, we find ourselves often at odds with the prevailing secular society. The Church, rather than being a source of inspiration and guidance, is looked upon at times as a near enemy; or so it feels. The religious interests of Catholicism and Christianity as a whole are suspect. We find ourselves in a strained relationship, guarding carefully each other’s interests.

Bonaventure, who was immersed in a Franciscan heart and spirit, might have been deeply perplexed or troubled by the lack of religious influence over the prevailing society. Yet, this is certainly not 13th century Italy and we would do well to avoid any duplication in attitude. But, the Gospel of holiness is a call ever present for all of us. Whether it be the greatness of men like St. Bonaventure or the person sitting next to us in the pew, myself at the altar, the stranger we encounter while grocery shopping, washing our car, a fellow co-worker or wherever we mix and mingle, no one has a monopoly on sanctity.

St. Bonaventure can reassure us that God speaks to our hearts and as Christians our basic call is to imitate Christ Jesus himself. This was the life of Francis of Assisi which Bonaventure clearly recognized. If we find ourselves in pursuit of love, reconciliation, prayer, humility, gratitude, service of others, we are on track.

God gives the Church mystics, theologians, scholars and bright lights such as St. Bonaventure to define for us the possibilities and direction to follow. Yet, I have no doubt that to have known him was not to feel distance but rather a draw towards Christ himself.

Holy Bonaventure
Priest and Bishop, theologian, scholar, mystic saint
Pray for us who trod the way of ordinary life.

Be for us a shining light of holiness and truth.
Guide us in our pursuit to imitate Jesus Christ.

This we pray in the light which outshines all others,
Christ our Lord and Savior.