Bonaventure, St.(C. 1217–1274)
St. Bonaventure, the Italian Scholastic philosopher, was known as the Seraphic Doctor. Bonaventure, whose real name was John of Fidanza, was born in Bagnorea, in Tuscany. After obtaining a master of arts degree at Paris, Bonaventure joined the Franciscan friars (probably in 1243) and studied theology under their masters, Alexander of Hales and John of La Rochelle. After their deaths in 1245, he continued his studies under Eudes Rigaud and William of Meliton. He also came under the influence of the Dominican Guerric of Saint-Quentin and the secular master Guiard of Laon. In 1248 as a bachelor of Scripture he began lecturing on the Gospel of St. Luke and then on other books of Scripture (not all of these commentaries have survived). His monumental "Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard," perhaps the most perfect example of this form of medieval literature, was composed between 1250 and 1252.
In 1253 he was licensed by the chancellor of the University of Paris and functioned as regent master of theology until 1257. During this time he composed four sets of Quaestiones Disputatae, of which the De Scientia Christi (On Christ's knowledge) is important for his theory of illumination; De Mysterio Trinitatis (On the mystery of the Trinity) contains the best exposition of his proofs of God's existence; and De Caritate et de Novissimis (On charity and the last things) contains sections taken over literally by Thomas Aquinas.
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