Saint Bonaventure-Doctor of The Church

Not much is known about the early life of Giovanni di Ritella, apart from the fact that he was born in the year 1221 in Italy. It is recorded that as a child he suffered from a mysterious ailment but upon praying to St. Francis of Assisi he was miraculously healed.

Perhaps it was this healing that drew the young Giovanni towards the lifestyle and the spirituality of the Franciscans. He joined the Roman Provence of the Franciscans it was around this time that he took the name Bonaventure he was then sent to study and finish his education in Paris. It was also in Paris that he forged a life long friendship with that great saint of the Church, Thomas Aquinas.

Bonaventure was a man of astute intelligence but also had within him that element of charisma that draws people towards himself not from a longing to be popular but because of the warmth he exuded to all he met. This goes towards explaining the title that Bonaventure became known by, that of the 'Seraphic Doctor' because of his kindly but also passionate personality.

You cannot live the Franciscan charism without having a passion for life, not the passion of lusts or pleasures but of an abundant love of all things that God has created and an appreciation that leads to a spirit of joyfulness mixed with earthiness. Bonaventure was certainly not a whimsical or dreamy person by nature, rather he strode the common ground of diplomacy with energetic ability to defend the beliefs of the Catholic Church without compromising his principles or core beliefs. He was assisted in combating many heresies alongside his good friend Thomas Aquinas who with humility and great patience repudiated those who were espousing a wrong doctrine.

Bonaventure didn't have to prove anything to anyone and he didn't he simply was himself to all he met, both friend and foe alike. Nothing would change this man who gained most of his insights from many hours of contemplating the Passion of Christ and from this he gleaned that knowledge is not what counts with God, what does count is love and love alone.

Is it any wonder that an at early age Bonaventure was to become Minister General of the Franciscan Order in the year 1257. These were to be exacting years for the Franciscan Order between those who wished to remain loyal to the original Rule, while other Friars wished for the more taxing parts of the Rule to be relaxed. This inner tension would be felt by many as the warring factions parried back and forth, it would take all of Bonaventure's strength and patience to once again restore the peace of his beloved brothers.

It is during this internal wrangle that Bonaventure truly became a man after Saint Francis own heart, as with delicacy and strength he was able to reach out to both sides and unite them in their singular love of their Order and the Church. From this dispute Bonaventure would become known as the 'Second Founder' of the Friars Minor.

This was also the catalyst from which Bonaventure constructed the Constitutions and began a teaching process so that all friars would be made aware of what it means to be a Franciscan and so spread their spirituality to all who would listen. It would also arm his fellow brothers against those who were taking liberties when it came to the fundamental foundation of the Franciscan spirituality laid down by St. Francis of Assisi himself! While some were espousing a more 'elitist' form of the Order, Bonaventure with his customary good will and common sense was able to negate their influence by teaching his Franciscan brothers to maintain their spiritual integrity rather than follow the whims of those who tried to dilute what St. Francis himself taught his followers.

What kept Bonaventure grounded from becoming too puffed up with his own accomplishments was his deep and innate spirit of humility and his devotion to Christ's Passion on the Cross, from which he never tired of contemplating. Bonaventure knew that life was short so one must do good now rather than later, he also grasped that in order to love God one must live with an undivided heart, rather than find out too late that they have strayed from the path of righteousness. Bonaventure taught that in order to speak love, one has to first live it only then can one transcend the limitations of their own incompleteness.

This brilliant man did not seek honours or glory for himself, in fact he ran from such acknowledgement but though he may have eluded one title, he could not run forever and so it was that Pope Gregory X proclaimed Bonaventure as Cardinal of Albano. Though internal divisions did interrupt the Order of the Friars Minor at times it was to Bonaventure that his fellow brothers turned to help them through this most difficult process.

Because of the difficulties which was causing much heartache within the Franciscan fold, Bonaventure began to write on the true meaning of what being a true Franciscan means but also what one must become in order to truly love God as he did. His writings were prolific as he attempted to bring peace and order back to his fellow brothers and also the wider Church. Bonaventure understood then if we exclude God from our thoughts then we have also excluded God from our hearts, for what brother can harbour bitterness towards another and still believe themselves to be lovers of God?

Bonaventure understood and tried to teach his fellow Friars that with God there is no disordered love it is man himself who distorts the Beatific vision with his own pride and longing to have their own way. In order to be fully whole to each other and to be community for each other one must first look to the Crucified Christ and understand the cost it took for one human soul, this is what Bonaventure sought to teach his fellow brothers and the wider Church through his writings. He succeeded.

It was during the last few months that Bonaventure working closely with the Pope in preparation for next Ecumenical council, died suddenly from an unknown illness.

Bonaventure died in the year 1274.

Saint Bonaventure was canonized in the year 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV.

Some Quotes

"The outcome or the fruit of reading Holy Scripture is by no means negligible: it is the fullness of eternal happiness. For these are the books which tell us of eternal life, which were written not only that we might believe but also that we might have everlasting life. When we do live that life we shall understand fully, we shall love completely, and our desires will be totally satisfied. Then, with all our needs fulfilled we shall truly know the love that surpasses all understanding and so be filled with the fullness of God."

"When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that proceeding from the mouth."

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Benedict of Nursia

Saint Benedict has become well renowned as the father of the Monastic Rule, even though the spirit of monasticism began in the middle east many years before. Still once the monastic spirit reached Europe most Religious Orders in their infant years began their Charism under the guidance of the Benedictine Rule.

Not much is known about Benedicts early years but many sources site Nursia as the birth place of this great man of the Church. He was born approximately 480 and many believe that his parents may have been financially secure in that Benedict was able to read and would later attend school, which was unusual for the peasantry of that time. Legend also has it that Benedict was the brother to his equally holy twin sister, Scholastica.

When he was sent to Rome for his education the young Benedict was quickly dismayed to see that his fellow men and women were behaving in a promiscuous fashion. Even from a young age Benedict had an ascetic spirit and was loathe to join in on the ribald and sinful lifestyle of his fellow students.

Finally the young Benedict could stand no more of this promiscuous lifestyle and so left for a place of silent repose where he would be able to study with no worldly distractions. Along with an elderly servant Benedict live for a while in the Sabine Mountains, it was here that one of Benedict first miracles was observed when his servant accidentally broke a bowl and Benedict by merely touching it the bowl was restored as if it had not been broken at all. This miracle also brought Benedict much unwanted attention once news of this incident was heard by others.

Benedict once more decided to travel in order to have complete solitude this time unaccompanied by any servants. He traveled to a place called Subiaco it was here that he met up with a monk called Romanus and it was through conversations with this monk that Benedict revealed his dearest wish, to live his entire life as a hermit, dedicating his entire life to the contemplation of God.

Romanus after listening to Benedict decided to help him live his chosen lifestyle and so both men found a remote cave where Benedict would spend the next 3 to 4 years. The only nourishment that Benedict was able to eat was given to him by Romanus who took the left over's from the Monastic community he lived in. These left over's mainly consisted of bread and water, a very severe form of diet.

According to the writings of Pope Gregory a Priest who lived not far from Benedict was preparing himself a celebratory dinner on Easter Sunday when he suddenly heard this voice say to him, "Thou art preparing thyself a savoury dish while my servant Benedict is afflicted with hunger." When the priest heard these words he set out to find Benedict once he had both Benedict and the priest spoke for many hours about God and their faith. The priest was surprised by the wild appearance that Benedict presented as he was clothed in animals skins for warmth. From this priestly contact others came to know about the wild man living in the caves and many visited Benedict for spiritual guidance.

From the writings of Pope Gregory we read how Benedict this holy man of God also had to overcome temptations and the attacks forced upon him by the devil as Gregory described in his works on Benedict, . "On a certain day when he was alone the tempter presented himself. A small dark bird, commonly called a blackbird, began to fly around his face and came so near him that, if he had wished, he could have seized it with his hand. But on his making the sign of the cross, the bird flew away. Then followed a violent temptation of the flesh, such as he had never before experienced. The evil spirit brought before his imagination a woman whom he had formerly seen, and inflamed his heart with such vehement desire at the memory of her that he had very great difficulty in repressing it. He was almost overcome and thought of leaving his solitude. Suddenly, however, with the help of divine grace, he found the strength he needed." After much struggling the devil left Benedict in peace as he could win no battle with this man who was guided by God Himself.

It wasn't long before Benedict was approached by a religious community to become their Superior after the death of their Abbot. Benedict when first approached refused to take this position as he preferred his life of holy solitude, but the small community of monks prevailed and so Benedict tried to lead the monks into following God's Divine Will as he had throughout the years. Unfortunately after a while many of the monks began to rebel at this strictness of Benedicts Rule and some tried to poison Benedict in order to rid themselves of this holy man. This scheme did not work as before drinking the poisoned wine Benedict blessed it and upon making the blessing the poisoned wine glass smashed. Benedict was disappointed and chastised the small group of monks before taking his leave of them, and returning to his hermitage in Subiaco.

Benedict though was not to be alone for long as many more men who also longed for a more solitary way of serving God were drawn to this holy man and longed to copy his lifestyle. Benedict by now had a growing longing to begin a monastic life for those who wished to follow God with all their hearts. Through this came about the monastic life which would be followed by so many early Religious Orders. Benedict began making the Rules for his community of men and in order that those who joined would be faithful to the Charims of the Monastic movement Benedict kept overall charge and control of those who joined him in living the monastic principle.

Through a life balanced by mortifications and intense prayer, men were able to contemplate God from the purity of their hearts. Through this one man's vision of living and starting a monastic life we have the Traditions within the Church based on the thoughts and teachings of this holy man of God, who is Benedict.

Throughout his life, Benedict was also the recipient of many miracles and had the ability to read souls and thereby direct people to let go of the sins which were holding them back from serving God with all their hearts.

Though Benedict lived a life of uncompromising principles and stayed true to his own Rule, he truly brought many closer to God because of the example he gave of his own beatific vision of God.

Through his many mortifications this weakened Benedict's health and he died of fever.

Benedict of Nursia died in the year 547.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Philomena-Early Church Martyr

Not much is known about this young girl who's tomb was found in the catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome. Unfortunately when her remains were found in 1802 by excavators there was no science which could shed light through DNA research about the approximate Era/year of her death.

What is known is that Philomena's tomb contained the body of a young girl of about 13 years of age alongside her remains was found a vial of dried blood. Written on her tomb were the words Lumena/ Paxte/ Cumfe when some experts translated the ambiguous writing they were able to make out the words Pax tecum Filumena which means 'Peace be with you Philomena'.

There were many years of persecution for the young Christian Church at a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian, yet so many of our early Christian martyrs remained loyal to their Faith unto the shedding of their blood. They did not seek to save their own lives at the cost of their beliefs but instead chose to remain firm in their and with great courage they chose to die for their faith rather than live a life of meaningless faithlessness.

One of these great persecutions was that of Nero who as legend says 'fiddled as Rome burned'. There have been many theories as to the origins of the fire some say that Nero himself instructed that a fire be started for his own sick entertainment while others say that the fire was accidentally started in a shop probably a bake house. Who started it is now for history to decide but the consequences were catastrophic for the small Christian community which were living peacefully in Rome.

After the city had been ravaged by fire the Roman citizens were looking for someone to blame and all eyes turned towards Nero who because of his apathy and indifference towards those who had suffered great loss went into damage control. It was Nero who pointed the finger at the Christian community by suggesting that it was them who began the fire. This enraged the Roman citizens who then began the great persecution of the early Christian community. As was reported in the writings of Tertullian, "Nero was the first to rage with Caesar's sword against this sect, "To suppress the rumor." Another writer, Tacitus who was not Christian wrote this concerning the persecution of the Christians by Nero, "Mockery of every sort accompanied their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.."There arose in the people a sense of pity. For it was felt that they (the Christians) were being sacrificed for one man's brutality rather than to the public interest." Emperor Nero was well known for his depravity towards anyone who displeased him, he would most probably be diagnosed as a psychopath by the physicians of today.

Whether the young Philomena was part of this most terrible persecution by Nero is unknown. What is known is that upon excavating her remains this young girl who had died a martyrs death was placed in the Vatican where she remained for many years.

Then in 1805 a priest who came upon her remains then requested if he could receive the relics of what seemed to be a great Saint of the Church, Don Francesco di Lucia was given this permission. He then enshrined her remains in his village church at Mugnano. It was here that many miracles would soon be attributed to this young martyr of early Rome.

When we examine the courage of the early Christians all must marvel at their great courage and also their tenacity and perseverance in the face of the most terrible tortures. We can only imagine the torture that would have been inflicted on this most holy and pure virgin martyr known as Philomena. In order for her to be remembered on her tomb it is obvious that Philomena came from a more wealthy background and that as she had lived so she died, beloved by those who knew her and had loved her.

Many people began to flock to this shrine of Philomena as many more miracles were attributed to this young saint and martyr, so much so that many were referring to her as 'Philomena, Powerful with God'. So it was that Pope Gregory XVI canonized this most beautiful young girl to Sainthood.

Upon her canonization many priests, nuns and even Popes grew in devotion to her saintly virtues and many more shrines were devoted to this young martyr of the early Church. Some of the better known admirers of Saint Philomena became Saints themselves! Such as St. John Vianney, St. Anthony Mary Claret and St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who I am sure could empathize completely with Philomena's torturous death. There were also many Popes who revered the life of Philomena some of them were Pope Leo XII, Pope Gregory XVI who gave Philomena the title 'Patroness of the Living Rosary, and Pope Pius IX who also proclaimed her as 'Patroness of the Children of Mary' and as the years passed many more Popes proclaimed their devotion to this young girl.

In this day and age of immodesty and narcissism we need to be reminded that such glorious Saints as Philomena once walked this same ground but the difference is they chose the higher path, let us hope to follow their example.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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