St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure was a Franciscan intellectual, theologian, and philosopher in the 1200s. Bonaventure entered the Franciscans at a young age, and studied at the University of Paris at the same time as Thomas Aquinas, a contemporary of Bonaventure whom he often communicated with and debated. Bonaventure received the degree of master and was on his way to a career in teaching when he was elected Minister General of the Franciscan Order (just the seventh ever of the young order), and had to stop teaching. During his time as Minister General, Bonaventure oversaw the Franciscans for 17 years and worked to bring together the intellectual and pastoral elements of Francis of Assisi’s teachings into an organized order. Throughout Bonaventure’s time as Minister General, the Franciscans grew at a rapid pace. Even when Bonaventure was tasked with administrative duties directing the Franciscans, he ensured that Jesus was at the center of all of his actions.
Catholic Apostolate Center Blog Posts on St. Bonaventure
Pilgrimage Site in the United States
Mission Basilica of St. Bonaventure — Ventura, CA