This Saturday, July 15, is the Feast Day St Bonaventure, our Patron saint.

St Bonaventure, was born at Bagnoregio, in the Lazio region of central Italy, in 1221. His name was John but he received the name Bonaventure after St Francis of Assisi prayed for John’s recovery from a dangerous illness when he was a child and cried out: “O Buona Ventura” which means good fortune.

At the age of 22, John (now known as Bonaventure) entered the Franciscan Order. In Paris he became the close friend of St Thomas Aquinas.

At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order. He did much for his Order and composed ‘The Life of St. Francis’ . He also assisted at the translation of the relics of St Antony of Padua.

He was nominated Archbishop of York by Pope Clement IV, but he begged not to be forced to accept that dignity. Pope 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.

He died while he was assisting at the Second Council of Lyons, on July 15, 1274.

He is known as the Doctor of the Church.

St Bonaventure continue to pray for all students, staff, governors, parents and friends of our great school.