Beloved St. Padre Pio!

St. Francis of Assisi Quote

Franciscan Friar's Homily for today's feast of St. Bonaventure

The "second founder" of the Franciscans, St. Bonaventure led the ever growing order with great holiness and profound prudence. He became bishop, cardinal, and was declared a saint and doctor of the Church. He stressed not only the importance of learning with the intellect, but of loving with the heart, and so gained the title of the "Seraphic Doctor". Ave Maria!

Today, July 15th, is the feast day of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

"Christ on the Cross bows His head, waiting for you, ... that He may kiss you; He stretches out His arms, that He may embrace you; His hands are open, that He may enrich your; His body is spread out, that He may give Himself totally; His feet are nailed, that He may stay there; His side is open for you, that He may let you enter there."

St Bonaventure is called the "Seraphic Doctor" because he revealed certain warmth toward others as a divine fire. His leadership with the Franciscans, following St Francis of Assisi, expressed itself by showing charity, goodwill and ardent affection toward others besides having great discernment in decision-making and judgement.

He offers to help us, as will all those in heaven, when we petition him for help. We can truly be transformed and change our habits and attitudes only with divine assistance. We must help ourselves but most interior betterment only comes with divine assistance.

Do you really want to live and love passionately? Everyone loves cheerful, enthusiastic and unselfish givers. Our doctor's generosity and kindness toward others were fervent and caring.

How do we obtain that kindness and caring? St Bonaventure tells us to look carefully at the crucified Christ. Gradually this practice will enable us to become more compassionate and understanding toward others. People will begin to see God in you, even if you don't. Then, you will shine like a seraph, the highest rank of angels, as Bonaventure.

When we humble ourselves, reflect upon the crucified Lord often, and share unselfishly, acting with goodness toward others, Jesus mysteriously becomes alive in us, and is plainly seen by others.

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. 

More on St. Bonaventure: http://www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com/BO.html

Homily by the Franciscan Friars on St. Veronica Giuliani

St. Veronica and the Sacred Heart

SWEET HEART OF JESUS, WE IMPLORE.  OH, MAKE US LOVE YOU, MORE AND MORE.

Divine Heart of Jesus, preside over our families;bless all our family undertakings, both spiritual and temporal. Sanctify our joys and comfort us in our sorrows. If any member of our family should have the misfortune to offend You seriously, please remind him, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, of Your infinite love and mercy for the penitent sinner.

From the Writings of St. Veronica Giuliani

From: THE DIARY of Veronica Giuliani

"While so said the Virgin was saying such words the Lord appeared with a great multitude of Angels, like the first ones I had seen. The Lord was glorious, and held a great cross in His hand. So He said: "Now I come lovely; but on the day of judgment, when I will appear in the same way, then I will be angry and rigorous. Then you will feel great pain, but this pain is nothing compared with the pain that everybody will feel universally ...".


The confession promise with Jesus.

"After 8 o’clock in the night, I had vision of our glorious Lord, the Blessed Virgin and many saints with a multitude of Angels. I was trembling, for the function that the Lord wanted to do with my soul. Everywhere He looked at, it seemed there was a judgment. The Lord is sitting on a throne, and all those saints were around Him. The Blessed Virgin was on another throne, and all the Angels in the sky were singing: VICTORY! VICTORY...".


The Guardian Angel

"My guardian angel made me to kneel at Lord’s feet, and to confess publicly my faults and my actions during my life. In this while, I made the sign of the cross and I wanted to start my confession, but I could not, because of the pain I felt as I had offended Him, my supreme Good. Finally I started in this way: "My Husband, I have offended you, and to you, I confess." So saying the Lord has enlightened me and He made me know how honour and value are this sacrament of penance...".


The Angel accusation.

"... The Lord made me silent, and told my guardian angel to accuse for me. So the Angel started from the age of three years until this time, and I was accused of everything. And even if the accusations were general it seemed to see distinctly every thought, there, in front of God. Oh what a pain! Oh what a torment I felt!... My Guardian Angel went on to accuse me for each minimum fault and I, at every accusation, I felt pain and sorrow, as I had offended the supreme Good...".