The Franciscan Order began almost 800 years ago and is one of the most recognisable groups within he Christian faith. Although, many think of St Francis when the Franciscan Order, there is another person who had an abundant effect upon the Franciscan Order this man is known as Saint Bonaventure. Saint Bonaventure is the second founding father of the Franciscan order. He led the Franciscans on a path to enable them to live by the values and rules set by St Francis. This was done through the development of rational understanding and faith towards God. His public teachings and theology changed the Franciscan Order in a unmeasurable positive way.
St Bonaventure was an Italian medieval scholastic theologian and philosopher. Born in 1221 in the…show more content… He defined himself in 1256 where he defended The Franciscan ideals and ethos in opposed position to Saint-Amour, a university teacher that was trying to ruin the reputation that the Franciscans possessed. Bonaventure’s selfless protection and prominence in the community lead him into gaining the role of Minister General of the Franciscans through an election in February 1257. While serving this role, corruption began to arise between two different segregated groups that had formed within the order. One group, wanting to follow the rules of St Francis identically, the opposing group, in favour of the innovation and adaption of the modern circumstance. Bonaventure played a big part in the resolution for this tension, and did a fantastic job at maintaining the status and life of the Order. This was done through restoring the friendly relations of his fellow Franciscans, commanding respect and neutrality from them. It is clearly evident through this act that Bonaventure brought direction to the Franciscans and inevitably saved the Franciscan Order from breaking down by keeping peace and harmony between one another. Deeming Saint Bonaventure worthy of being labelled the 'Second Founding Father of the Franciscan order'. Bonaventure’s achievements and what he has done with the order are phenomenal and are still recognised in today’s Franciscan community. One of his most outstanding achievements was his rewriting of the Franciscan Constitutions or also known as the Constitutions of Carbine or Statutes of Bonaventure, which haven't changed to this day. This is “due to Bonaventure’s amazing foresight, understanding and practicality” (Costelloe, 2010). Franciscan scholar Wadder says of the constitutions; “The Statutes of Bonaventure are weighty--the outcome of mature deliberation and discussion--and they are redolent of a truly religious spirit. In them is enjoined whatever is of primary
