Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
Saint Francis Heals Bonaventure
The infant Bonaventure, gravely ill, is held by his mother as Saint Francis of Assisi gently touches the child — a moment of miraculous healing in medieval Italy that would mark the boy’s future as a great theologian, cardinal, and Doctor of the Church. A robin, bearing the brown of the Franciscan habit and the red of the cardinal’s office, perches nearby with a crushed fly — a quiet sign of death overcome.
Born around 1217 or 1221 in Bagnoregio, Italy, Saint Bonaventure was healed of a grave illness as a small child — a miracle attributed to the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi himself. He entered the Franciscan Order in his thirties, leaving behind worldly advancement to pursue a life of spiritual poverty, devotion, and study.
Though one of the most learned minds of his time, Bonaventure never exalted intellect above faith. He taught that only through humility, love, and the Cross could the soul ascend to God. Appointed Minister General of the Franciscan Order and later named Cardinal Bishop of Albano, he lived with simplicity until his death in 1274.
His writings reflect mystical vision grounded in the crucified Christ — not the brilliance of the world, but the radiance of divine light. His feast is celebrated on July 15.