Feast of St. Bonaventure

[DemBonnies]

We are just about a week away from the Feast of St. Bonaventure and I know it wasn't until a few years ago it took a special meaning for me.

Four years ago, less than a month after I closed my business, due to both a downturn in the economy and foreign competition, my wife asked me to head to Church to have some rosary blessed by the priest...groan.

While there, the lectern announces that today is the Feast of St. Bonaventure, I realized my presence there was no accident.

Last year, while laid off from work, I went to Mass on the 15th of July and prayed for work. Less than two weeks later I was hired back only to get laid off again this past February.

Although I am back working again, I plan on stopping in to offer a prayer to the patron saint of our University

There is a contributing member of this forum for whom the Feast of St. Bonaventure holds a much more profound meaning.

Olean born and raised Ocean State Bonnie celebrates his anniversary on that date and I believe the birth or baptism of two of his children. Perhaps he can expound upon this special day.

In any event...Happy Anniversary Kevin and Ann and may the blessings of St. Bonaventure pour down upon all of the SBU Community.

And St. Bonaventure if you could send a special blessing to the basketball players and help them find the "good journey" and perhaps the backdoor to the bucket!!

[JS]

Great post- indeed, I think there are a lot of things that happen in life that are no accident. A good reminder to all of us to honor the patron saint of this great University on July 15th....

[FriendsofAN44]

Catholic Saints

Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274)


Feastday: July 15


St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Feast day-July 15)

St. Bonaventure, known as "the seraphic doctor," was born at Bagnorea in Tuscany, in 1221. He received the name of Bonaventure in consequence of an exclamation of St. Francis of Assisi, when, in response to the pleading of the child's mother, the saint prayed for John's recovery from a dangerous illness, and, foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out "O Buona ventura"-O good fortune!

At the age of twenty-two St. Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. Having made his vows, he was sent to Paris to complete his studies under the celebrated doctor Alexander of Hales, an Englishman and a Franciscan. After the latter's death he continued his course under his successor, John of Rochelle. In Paris he became the intimate friend of the great St. Thomas Aquinas. He received the degree of Doctor, together with St. Thomas Aquinas, ceding to his friend against the latter's inclination, the honor of having it first conferred upon him. Like St. Thomas Aquinas, he enjoyed the friendship of the holy King, St. Louis.

At the age of thirty-five he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The Life of St. Francis . He also assisted at the translation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua. He was nominated Archbishop of York by Pope Clement IV, but he begged not to be forced to accept that dignity. Gregory X obliged him to take upon himself a greater one, that of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of the six suffragan Sees of Rome. Before his death he abdicated his office of General of the Franciscan Order. He died while he was assisting at the Second Council of Lyons, on July 15, 1274.

[FriendsofAN44]

More on Saint Bonaventure.....

www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb16.htm

[OceanStateBonnie]

Artie, what a great message. Thanks.

I will pass your well wishes on to the Ocean State Bonnette.

While I would like to claim that I early on had enough devotion and knowledge (and influence with my future spouse) to have pre-selected July 15th as our wedding date, I cannot. The summer before we were wed, a friend of my sister-in-law kidded my wife after attending a weekday mass to pray for a sick relative or friend. She thought it was pretty funny that we had selected the feast of St. Bonaventure on purpose as I had just graduated and my then-fiance would be following me in the spring of 1978. She confessed that she did not know the date of the feast, but that July 15th had been chosen because of the availability of the church and the reception location!

I prefer to call this a blessed coincidence. And I am delighted that it worked out that way. It's given more special meaning to our wedding anniversary each year.

No, not any of the five were born or baptized on July 15th. But my current Bona student and cheerleader was born on October 4th. That happens to be the feast of St. Francis.

The 10/04 saga is for another time.

Again Artie, thanks for the anniversary wishes. I will be thinking of you at mass next Friday morning.

Good fortune to all.

[DemBonnies]

That's the one...I knew there was a birth on another Bona red letter day.

Do the students still get St. Francis Day off?

The 17 used to be packed (moreso than usual) because the Skellar and the School would have long weekend.

[OceanStateBonnie]

Academic calendar for this fall says that mid-term break is 10/8-11, with no mention of being off on 10/4 for the feast of St. Francis.

Hit'em straight.

[BonaWolf]

Both Thomas Merton and St. Bonaventure died at age 53.....FREAKY!!

[geo]

Uh-oh. That is not something that us class of '73 guys would consider uplifting....