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Saint-Bonaventure

Saint-Bonaventure

Saint-Bonaventure

Saint-Bonaventure, originally baptized as John, lived in the 13th century. The year of his birth is still disputed, he was born in 1217 or 1221. This saint, originally from Bagnorea in the region of Tuscany, entered the Franciscans in 1243. Soon after, he went to Paris where he met Saint Thomas Aquinas and, like the latter, Saint Bonaventure is known for his theological writings dealing with philosophy and science. The seraphic doctor; thus, named in the Church, became the superior of the Franciscans, reforming order shortly after. Among other things, he defended the idea that the study of philosophy and theology can be reconciled with a life devoted to poverty, a wish which is central to the Franciscans. After 17 years of service to the monastery, Saint Bonaventure was named Cardinal of Albano by Pope Gregory X. Under this new vocation, our saint contributed greatly to the preparation of the second ecumenical council of Lyon. He died on July 15, 1274, before the closure of the Council.

This saint later became the figure that we associate with Mary Forestier called Mother St. Bonaventure (officially, Mother St. Bonaventure of Jesus). She was the second superior of the Hospitallers of Dieppe in Normandy and subsequently one of the three foundresses and superiors of the Augustines of Quebec. Mother Saint-Bonaventure exhaled the very essence of the mission of the Augustines at the Hotel Dieu de Québec. Re-elected six times as a superior mother in Quebec City between 1645 and 1683, this Augustine proved to be very hard working and fervent throughout her life. She contributed greatly to the writing of the Annales of the l'Hôtel Dieu de Québec. This text remains a valuable compendium behind the history of the first Canadian Hospital. In the same era, Blessed Marie-Catherine de Saint-Augustin arrived in Canada. This extraordinary young nun was under the benevolent direction of Mother St. Bonaventure. With great joy, she witnessed the extraordinary life of our Blessed One.

 

 

 

Sources :  http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/forestier_marie_1E.html

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=522

 


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