July 15th: St. Bonaventure, Franciscan Doctor of the Church |
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One Minute Meditation
St. Bonaventure, 1217-1274. Seraphic Doctor, Feast July 15th. It is said that St. Bonaventure was healed from a childhood disease through the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi. He later joined the Order of Friars Minor at age 22 and studied theology and philosophy in Paris. This saint was a friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas. St. Bonaventure became General of the Franciscan Order at the age of 35 and later was named Bishop of Albano, Italy. When he was named a Cardinal, the story is that when the red hat of a cardinal was delivered to him, he was washing dishes at the time and told the courier to just hang it on a nearby tree! He spoke at the Council of Lyons, but died before its close. He has been declared one of the 33 Doctors of the Church. A CANTICLE LIKE THAT OF MARY: Let us sing to Our Lady, the glorious Virgin Mary: let us bless her in hymns and praises. The name of Our Lady is omnipotent after that of God: she hath cast the chariot of Pharaoh and his army into the sea. Thy right hand, O Lady, is magnified in strength: because in the multitude of thy mercies thou hast prostrated mine adversaries. Thou hast delivered me, O Lady, from the mouth of the lion: and as the mother her new-born infant hast thou received me. O my most dear Lady: like the hen, cover me with thy wonderful protection. I am all thine: and all my things are thine, Virgin blessed above all. I will place thee as a seal upon my heart: because thy love is strong as death. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Mary seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children. – Saint Bonaventure
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