July 15: St. Bonaventure / San Buenaventura

Saint Bonaventure was born in Tuscany in 1221. He was Baptized with the name John, but he received a new name when his mother was pleading in prayer to St. Francis of Assisi, for her son’s recovery from a dangerous illness. Foreseeing the future greatness of little John in a vision, she cried out, “O Buona Ventura,” meaning, “O Good Fortune.” From that day on, he was called Bonaventure. He became a Franciscan Friar, assumed the leadership of the Order after St. Francis died, was a Bishop, and was later declared a Doctor of the Church. 

For more on St. Bonaventure (from St. Bonaventure Parish in Concord, CA ): https://stbonaventure.net/who-was-st-bonaventure

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Today also marks the 36^th anniversary of the ordination of our parish priest, Fr. Mark. We congratulate him and wish him good health and many more years of faithful service. Quisiéramos dar felicitaciones a nuestro párroco hoy, el dia del aniversario de su ordenación.

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Hoy, celebramos el día festivo de San Buenaventura, religioso franciscano, quien fue un promotor incansable de paz y unidad, tanto dentro de su Orden como entre los políticos de su tiempo. Hombre muy culto, confió más en el amor de Dios (que se refleja claramente en todos sus escritos) que en sus conocimientos humanos. 

Que, por intercesión de los Santos, el Espíritu Santo nos una y nos renueve como un nuevo pueblo, alegre y esperanzado. Y que sepamos proclamar con nuestras vidas, a ejemplo de San Buenaventura, que Dios es nuestro Padre, y que Jesús es nuestro Salvador.