St. Bonaventure: A Model of Charity, Humility, and Tranquility – Jul 15 – Homily – Fr Michael

 

Fr. Michael M. Gauvreau, FI, gives the homily on how St. Bonaventure, the "Seraphic Doctor," taught that true wisdom and holiness are attained through prayer, contemplation of the cross, and love, rather than solely through study, embodying profound humility and charity in his life as a scholar, leader, and peacemaker.

Fr. Gauvreau highlights St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the "second founder" of the Franciscan Order and "Seraphic Doctor." Cured by St. Francis as a child, Bonaventure excelled academically, studying under Alexander of Hales and earning his doctorate alongside St. Thomas Aquinas. Despite his intellectual brilliance, he taught that wisdom comes primarily through prayer and contemplation of the cross, pointing to the crucifix as the fount of all knowledge. He famously stated, "Knowledge without love is sterile, love without knowledge is blind," advocating for knowledge enkindled by charity.

As Minister General at 36, St. Bonaventure reformed the vast Franciscan Order, emphasizing study while preserving the spirit of prayer and charity. He was instrumental in the temporary reunion of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches at the Council of Lyon, where he served as a cardinal after initially refusing the honor. His life exemplified profound humility, seen when he was found doing dishes as Minister General or when he tore up his own Corpus Christi songs after reading St. Thomas's. He prioritized charity, once delaying his journey to Lyon to counsel a friar in a vocation crisis. St. Bonaventure's teachings, including "The Mind's Journey to God," underscore that following God's will and seeking wisdom at the foot of the cross, with a heart inflamed by love, leads to true holiness and peace.

Pope Benedict XVI 2010 – Bonaventure joined Franciscans and studied theology at Paris University – https://airmaria.com/go/syviDq
Pope Benedict XVI 2010 – Bonaventure governed Franciscans recognizing limits after Francis's spiritual... – https://airmaria.com/go/hWf4vw
Pope John Paul II 2001 – Bonaventure exemplified faith seeking divine knowledge among eminent theologians – https://airmaria.com/go/EqzpHv
Pope Benedict XVI 2010 – Bonaventure adopted Pseudo-Dionysius's step beyond Augustine's intellectus kn... – https://airmaria.com/go/f3dVZS

1 Corinthians 1:18 – Cross is God's power and wisdom – https://airmaria.com/go/sdR84E
John 15:13 – Greatest love lays down life for friends – https://airmaria.com/go/6Xt2gz
Philippians 2:3 – In humility, value others above yourselves – https://airmaria.com/go/iaQr25
CCC 2715 – Contemplative prayer is a gaze of faith – https://airmaria.com/go/G7dhRy
CCC 2304 – Peace is the tranquility of order – https://airmaria.com/go/WdcwxB

00:00 - Introduction to St. Bonaventure: The Second Founder
01:59 - Knowledge Through Prayer and Love
04:40 - Reforming the Franciscan Order and Seeking Church Unity
07:02 - Death at Lyon and the Reunion of Churches
08:22 - Humility and Charity: Anecdotes of a Saint
12:23 - St. Bonaventure's Writings and Humility
14:21 - The Seraphic Doctor: Wisdom from the Cross

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bonaventure - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=169
1st: Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-7, 16-18 - Excellence of Wisdom
Resp: Psalms 16:5-6, 7-8, 9, 11 - God the Supreme Good
Gsp: Matthew 5:13-19 - Salt and Light

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=676

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWcZdb0e5g8