The Daily Pilgrimage

Today in the Roman year

Pentecost teaches that the Holy Ghost does not create private religious enthusiasm detached from doctrine, worship, and authority. He gathers, sends, teaches, and strengthens the visible Church. The remnant must therefore seek fire without disorder and zeal without novelty.

Make a brief examination of conscience before sleep and end the day with an act of contrition.

Roman Martyrology

July 14

At Lyons, the demise of St. Bonaventure, Cardinal and bishop of Albano, confessor and doctor of the Order of Minorites, most celebrated for his learning and holiness of life. — At Rome, St. Justus, soldier under the tribune Claudius. A miraculous cross appearing to him, he believed in Christ, was baptized, and bestowed his goods on the poor. Arrested afterwards by the prefect Magnetius, he was scourged, had a heated helmet put on his head, and was thrown into the fire, but without injury even to a hair of his head, Finally, he yielded up his soul in the confession of the Lord. — At Sinope, in Pontus, the martyrs St. Phocas, bishop of that city. Under the emperor Trajan, after having been imprisoned, bound, struck with the sword and exposed to the fire for Christ, he took his flight to heaven. His remains were brought to Vienne, in France, and deposited in the church of the holy apostles. — At Alexandria, St. Heraclas, bishop, whose fame was so great that the historian Africanus repaired to Alexandria to see him, as he himself testifies. — At Carthage, St. Cyrus, bishop, on whose festival St. Augustine spoke of him to his people. — At Como, St. Felix, first bishop of that city. — At Brescia, St. Optatian, bishop. — At Daventry, in Belgium, St. Marcellin, priest and confessor. — At Rome, St. Camillus de Lellis, confessor, founder of the Clerks Regular who minister to the sick. Renowned for virtues and miracles, he was numbered among the saints by the Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV.

Highlighted saint

St. Bonaventure

Bishop, confessor, Doctor, and contemplative theologian.

St. Bonaventure, the Seraphic Doctor, was a Franciscan theologian, Minister General of his Order, cardinal bishop, and servant of the Church at the Council of Lyons.

His learning was joined to humility, prayer, and love for Christ crucified. Sacred doctrine in him did not inflate the mind; it became wisdom, contemplation, and service to the Church.

Read and reason beneath the gaze of God. St. Bonaventure teaches that doctrine should warm the heart, not merely sharpen the tongue.

Breviary Witness

The Seraphic Doctor and the wisdom of holy love.

Matins - St. Bonaventure

• The Breviary honors St. Bonaventure as the Seraphic Doctor: Franciscan theologian, Minister General, cardinal bishop, and servant of the Church.
• His learning was joined to humility and prayer, teaching that sacred study must ascend toward God, not become a display of cleverness detached from charity.

Study the faith on your knees. Knowledge that does not make the soul more humble, obedient, and loving has not yet become wisdom.

From Matins

The Seraphic Doctor whose learning burned with godliness.

Matins - Second Nocturn - St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor

Roman Breviary, Proper lessons for St. Bonaventure

“The depth of his learning and the earnestness of his godliness affect the reader and teach him at the same time.”

• The Breviary presents St. Bonaventure as the Franciscan child vowed by his mother to Blessed Francis, later formed in learning under Alexander of Hales.
• His public teaching at Paris, commentary on the Sentences, and governance as Minister General joined doctrine to holiness rather than ambition.
• The office remembers his creation as Cardinal Bishop of Albano, the reverence of St. Thomas Aquinas for his sanctity, his death at the Council of Lyons, and the miracles that followed.

Let study become prayerful and obedient. St. Bonaventure teaches that doctrine should illumine the mind, warm the heart, and serve the Church without vanity.

Truth of the Faith

Dogma Binds the Mind Because God Has Spoken

A Catholic dogma is not a provisional religious expression. It is truth revealed by God and proposed by the Church for belief.

Prayer

O Lord, pardon my faults, raise my heart from discouragement, and teach me to begin again under Thy mercy.