St. Bonaventure Medal and Necklace

Sterling Silver St. Bonaventure Medal and Necklace

14KT Gold Filled St. Bonaventure Medal and Necklace

14KT Gold St Bonaventure Medal

ST. BONAVENTURE

Saint Bonaventure is one of the glories of the Seraphic Order of St. Francis. He was the friend and companion of St. Thomas Aquinas, and ranks with him among the six chief Doctors of the Catholic Church: St. Ambrose and Augustine, St. Jerome and Gregory, Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. He was born in 1221 at Bagnorea, not far from Viterbo, Italy, of pious parents. At his Baptism he was called John, after his father, but this name was later ex changed for that of Bonaventure on account of the following remarkable occurrence.

The Name Bonaventure

At the age of four he fell dangerously ill. His holy mother, Ritella, made a vow that if the child were restored to health she would give him to God. She then took him to St. Francis and pleaded with him to pray for the recovery of her dear son. Moved with pity, St. Francis knelt down in prayer; then rising, he blessed the child, and the little one was instantly cured; nor did he ever after suffer from any sickness until his last illness.

St. Francis, beholding the marvelous se manifestation of the Divine goodness, and foreseeing the child’s future career, exclaimed: “O buona ventura!” that is, “O good luck!” Hence the name of Bonaventure, by which the Saint was called from that time.

A Great Scholar

Ritella’s first care was to inspire her son from his ten desert years with sentiments of true piety and devotion. He made rapid progress in his studies. Upon reaching the age of seventeen, he learned from his mother that she had made a vow to consecrate him to the service of God. Moved by gratitude to St. Francis, Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. In 1241 or 1242 he went to Paris to pursue his theological studies. Among the prominent professors at the University was the celebrated Franciscan theologian, Alexander of Hales.

Bonaventure was one of the most conspicuous among the numerous disciples of this great master. It was at the University of Paris that Bonaventure became acquainted with St. Thomas Aquinas, who was five years younger than himself. The holy friendship which sprang up between them lasted through life. Soon after his ordination Bonaventure began to give lectures to the Friars Minor; and on the death of John of Rochelle, who had succeeded Alexander of Hales, he was appointed to fill the chair left vacant at the University. As he was only twenty-three years old, and the age of twenty-five was required for this office, an exception was made in Bonaventure’s case.

Students thronged to hear him, and the impact of his teaching was reflected on the whole Franciscan Order. In 1257, at the suggestion of Pope Alexander IV, St. Bonaventure was chosen General of his Order. He soon restored the peace which had been disturbed by internal dissensions. In 1273 Pope Gregory X consecrated St. Bonaventure Cardinal and Bishop of Albano. One of his reasons for raising the Saint to the dignity of a Cardinal, was his desire to see him direct with greater authority the labors of the General Council which had been convened at Lyons, and was to begin on May 1, 1274.

The chief objects for which the Council had been convoked were: the union of the Greeks with the Catholic Church, the defense of the Holy Land, and the improvement of ecclesiastical discipline. On June 29th St. Bonaventure saw the union with the Greeks completed, and assisted at the solemn Te Deum which was sung in thanksgiving. The following day he fell ill. His condition would not allow him to receive Holy Viaticum. Deeply grieved, but resigned, he asked that the Blessed Sacrament be brought to his room.

The Miracle of the Eucharist

The Sacred Host left the hand of the Priest and placed Itself on the Saint’s heart, filling him with ineffable sweetness. It was in this transport of heavenly joy that Bonaventure breathed his last on the night of July 14, 1274. The Pope and all the prelates of the Church assisted at his funeral on Sunday, the 15th. St. Bonaventure was canonized by Sixtus IV in 1482. A century later he was declared a Doctor of the Church.

Several miracles wrought by the Saint’s intercession are recorded in the Acts of his canonization. During the plague in Lyons, in 1628, the clergy and people carried St. Bonaventure’s relics in procession, and immediately the plague ceased. St. Bonaventure wrote Commentaries on Holy Scripture, many ascetical and mystical treatises, and a beautiful, touching Biography of St. Francis of Assisi, the Founder of his Order.

St. Bonaventure Rosary
UPC: 617759403053
Brand: Bliss