The Diocese of Allentown recently marked the feast day of St. Bonaventure, holding him up as an example for people to emulate.

“Bonaventure means ‘O good fortune,’ a name given him when St. Francis of Assisi prayed for his recovery from a life-threatening illness as a child,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “St. Bonaventure, pray for us and help us imitate your example of holiness and love of Christ!” 

St. Bonaventure was born in 1217 in Bagnoregio. Though deathly ill as a child, he survived and credited his recovery to the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, a report from Britannica said. He later studied at the University of Paris, then joined the Franciscan order. 

St. Bonaventure studied, wrote and taught extensively. Pope Gregory X appointed Bonaventure to serve as the Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Italy, in 1273, Britannica said. Bonaventure passed away on July 15, 1274, and Catholics now celebrate his feast day each year on that day. Pope Sixtus V declared Bonaventure a Doctor of the Church in 1587. 

“Doctor of the Church” is an official title that a pope can bestow upon a person who has made significant and lasting contributions to the church, a report from Crossroads Initiative said. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, only 37 people have ever been granted this title. There are three requirements to becoming a Doctor of the Church: “1) holiness that is truly outstanding, even among saints; 2) depth of doctrinal insight; and 3) an extensive body of writings which the church can recommend as an expression of the authentic and life-giving Catholic Tradition.”

Italian friars founded St. Bonaventure University in New York, the university's website said. They had traveled to America will the purpose of establishing a Franciscan university. The school was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Francis in 1858 and was named after St. Bonaventure because he is the patron saint of Franciscan studies and learning. 

In the early 1900s, the college became the home of the School of Franciscan Studies, as well as the Franciscan Institute; the website said.