St. Bonaventure

La Vocation de Saint Francois by Alphonse Legros (1837-1911). 1861, oil on canvas, Musee des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle / Wikimedia Commons

True Self-Knowledge

St. Bonaventure

Saint Bonaventure teaches that true holiness begins with deep and honest self-examination. By identifying negligence, passions, and malice within, the soul can progress toward perfection.

Coronation of the Virgin by Diego Velazquez (1599-1660). 1635, Oil on Canvas, Museo del Prado / Wikimedia Commons

The Seven Privileges of Mary That Bring Us Life

St. Bonaventure

In this meditation on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the seven privileges through which she dispenses grace are beautifully laid out. From her Immaculate Conception to

Leopold Kupelwieser, The Heart of Mary, 19th Century (Wikimedia Commons)

Mary Shares All Gifts with the Lord

St. Bonaventure

In this excerpt from Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the profound meaning of the angelic greeting “The Lord is with thee” is explored in

Tridentine Mass - Elevation of the Host, photographed by Servus Tuus / Wikimedia Commons

5 Reasons for the Elevation of the Host

St. Bonaventure

Understand the prayers and gestures of consecration with this beautiful excerpt from Expositio Missae by Saint Bonaventure. Words of Consecration Who, the day before He

Mary, Queen of Heaven by Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy (1435-1506). 1485, oil on panel, National Gallery of Art / Wikimedia Commons

Mary, the Queen of Heaven

St. Bonaventure

Meditate with Saint Bonaventure on Mary, the Queen of Heaven. Meditate upon each consideration as Bonaventure masterfully guides your soul into a sacred reflection on

The Annunciation by Joos van Cleve (1485-1540). 1525, oil on panel, Metropolitan Museum of Art / Wikimedia Commons.

Gabriel’s Angelic Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Bonaventure

Allow Saint Bonaventure to unfold the richness of Gabriel’s holy salutation to Mary at the Incarnation. Follow along with the saint’s reflection in this excerpt

Le Silence (detail from the Grave of Jacob Robles), Antione-Augustin Préault (1809–1879), 1842, scupture. Pere Lachaiese Cemetary. Wikimedia Commons.

Guarding the Tongue with the Virtue of Silence

St. Bonaventure

Silence is lauded by the saints as a virtue to help guide souls toward perfection. In Holiness of Life, Saint Bonaventure reveals silence as a

Icon of the Embrace of Apostles Peter and Paul, Angelos Akotantos (1390–1450), oil on canvas on panel. Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Bequeathed by James Campbell Thomson, 1982. Accession number: WA1982.192.

The Exchange of Peace and the Agnus Dei

St. Bonaventure

Discover the symbolism behind the exchange of peace and the Agnus Dei as explained by Saint Bonaventure in Expositio Missae: The Mysteries of the Mass

Tree of Jesse, Victor of Crete (1630–1697, 1674, tempera and gold leaf on panel. Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. Wikimedia Commons.

Mary, a Rod from the Root of Jesse

St. Bonaventure

In Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Bonaventure, the “Seraphic Doctor,” offers a profound investigation into the Blessed Virgin Mary’s distinctive role in humanity’s

Christ on the Cross, Léon Bonnat (1833-1922), c. 1874, oil on canvas. Petit Palais, Paris / Wikimedia Commons.

The Seven Last Words of Christ: Meditation on the Fourth Word

St. Bonaventure

Ponder the Teacher’s final lecture as Saint Bonaventure and Arnold of Bonneval lead you through meditations on the fourth word of Christ. Taken from The

The Crucifixion, Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682), 1675, oil on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art / Wikimedia Commons.

The Remembrance of Christ’s Passion

St. Bonaventure

Meditation on the passion of Christ should serve as fuel for our love for God. We ought to strive daily to remember the sufferings of

Saint Anne (detail), 8th Century, tempera on plaster. National Museum, Warsaw, photographed by Stanisław Lorentz, Tadeusz Dobrzeniecki, Krystyna Kęplicz, Monika Krajewska, 1990 / Wikimedia Commons.

Why Practice Silence?

St. Bonaventure

Many sins proceed from the man who cannot hold his tongue. The virtue of silence is one secret to sanctity that all souls should strive

The Mealtime Prayer, Fritz von Uhde (1848-1911), 1885, oil on canvas. Alte Nationalgalerie, Google Arts & Culture / Wikimedia Commons.

The Perfect Love of God

St. Bonaventure

We read in Holy Scripture, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your

Parable of the Pearl, A.N. Mironov. 2020, oil on canvas. Photographed by the artist / Wikimedia Commons.

How to Attain True Self-Knowledge

St. Bonaventure

If we wish to become perfect, we must first begin with ourselves. Often we are blinded through false humility and fail to attain true self-knowledge.

Procession in The Hague, Isaac Israels (1865-1934), 1881, oil on panel. Rijksmusum / Wikimedia Commons.

The Meaning of Priestly Vestments

St. Bonaventure

In Expositio Missae, Saint Bonaventure the Seraphic Doctor illuminates the mysteries of the Mass, from the Kyrie to Holy Eucharist, delving into every layer of

The Confession, Giuseppe Molteni (1800-1867), 1838, oil on canvas. Gallerie d'Italia Milano / Wikimedia Commons.

The Threefold Woe of Sin

St. Bonaventure

The Seraphic Doctor, Saint Bonaventure, offers a profound examination of Mary’s graces, sanctity, and heavenly role in Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read on

The Birth of the Virgin, Alessandro Turchi (1578-1649), between 1631 and c. 1635, oil on canvas. Museo del Prado / Wikimedia Commons.

The Meaning of Mary’s Name

St. Bonaventure

The Seraphic Doctor, Saint Bonaventure, offers a profound examination of Mary’s graces, sanctity, and heavenly role in Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read on

Christ on the Cross, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682), 1670, oil on canvas. Timken Museum / Wikimedia Commons

Father, Forgive Them

St. Bonaventure

From the pulpit of the Cross, Christ gave His final and most stirring sermon: His seven last words. Read on for Saint Bonaventure’s meditation, prayer,

El Greco, Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, c. 1590 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Imprinting of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Bonaventure

September 17th marks the anniversary of the imprinting of the stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi. Taken from The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi,

Explore Saint Bonaventure’s meditation on Christ’s second word from the Cross. Delve into the profound significance of His final sermon in this compelling website.

Saint Bonaventure: The Second Word

St. Bonaventure

From the pulpit of the cross, Christ gave His final and most riveting sermon: His seven last words. The following is Saint Bonaventure’s meditation on Christ’s second word from the Cross.

Christ’s Victorious Last Words

St. Bonaventure

O Jesus, You are the way that leads to heaven, Our saving victim, our safest harbor, The liberating truth, and the light which illuminates the

TAN Direction Search Results

True Self-Knowledge

The Seven Privileges of Mary That Bring Us Life

Mary Shares All Gifts with the Lord

5 Reasons for the Elevation of the Host

Mary, the Queen of Heaven

Gabriel’s Angelic Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Guarding the Tongue with the Virtue of Silence

The Exchange of Peace and the Agnus Dei

Mary, a Rod from the Root of Jesse

The Seven Last Words of Christ: Meditation on the Fourth Word

The Remembrance of Christ’s Passion

Why Practice Silence?

The Perfect Love of God

How to Attain True Self-Knowledge

The Meaning of Priestly Vestments

The Threefold Woe of Sin

The Meaning of Mary’s Name

Father, Forgive Them

The Imprinting of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

Saint Bonaventure: The Second Word

Christ’s Victorious Last Words

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