July 15 2019 - St. Bonaventure - Burning Love

When I visited Assisi a few weeks ago, I was able to spend some time praying before the famous cross of San Damiano—the cross from which St. Francis of Assisi heard Our Blessed Lord commissioning him to rebuild his Church. After literally rebuilding the chapel of San Damiano that had fallen into ruins, Francis went on a crusade across Europe, rebuilding the Church spiritually through his preaching and witnessing to the Gospel through his radical poverty.

Born in 1217,  Bonaventure entered the newly formed Franciscan order, just around 20 years after the death of Francis. It became clear that his intellectual gifts would benefit the Order greatly, so he was sent to the great University of Paris, where he soon became a professor of theology.

Bonaventure is often called the “second Founder” of the Franciscans because of the great impact he had on the order, particularly in stressing the importance of study and loving Christ with a burning heart.

There is no other path (to heaven, to God, to happiness),” he writes, “but through the burning love of the Crucified.” Only a “raging fire” in our soul, a fire of “intense fervor” and “glowing love” can carry our soul to God. 

Bonaventure used his intellectual gifts to help souls discover that burning love for the Crucified. We no doubt are called to use whatever gifts we have to do the same, to bring spiritual vitality to the Church through works of charity.

As minister general of the Franciscans, when already that young Order was beginning to experience some splintering into different factions, Bonaventure stressed compassion for the poor, simplicity of life, detachment from riches, hard work, prayer, and study, to seek to love and imitate Our Blessed Lord Jesus in all things.

St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church, wrote, “Whoever wishes to ascend to God must first avoid sin, which deforms our nature; he must pray to receive restoring grace; he must lead a good life, to receive purifying justice; he must meditate, to receive illuminating knowledge; he must practice contemplation, to receive perfecting wisdom.” 

May we then follow the good Doctor’s advice, by avoiding sin, praying for healing grace, meditating on the truths of the Gospel, and practicing the contemplation of God, that our hearts may be set afire with divine love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That all Christians may have a burning love for the Crucified-and-Risen Lord, and that love may be seen in the priorities of their life.

That the work and ministry of all Franciscan organizations and charitable institutions may bear fruit for the spread of the Gospel.

For the purification of our minds and hearts from the errors of the culture and from the lure of worldly attachments.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord