Bonaventure: The Soul's Journey Into God / The Tree of Life / The Life of St. Francis (The Classics of Western Spirituality) (English and Latin Edition)

This volume contains translations from Latin of three works of St. Bonaventure (1217-1274), theologian and minister general of the Franciscan Order. TRANSLATION AND INTRODUCTION BY EWERT COUSINS. PREFACE BY IGNATIUS BRADY. O.FM. In the history of Western spirituality, Bonaventure holds a central and pivotal position. The 13th century friar, professor at the University of Paris, minister general of the Franciscan Order, cardinal and advisor to popes, played a major role in the spiritual ferment of the high Middle Ages ... when Islamic, Jewish and Christian spirituality were flourishing - he produced one of the richest syntheses of Christian spirituality. Although cosmic in its scope, it was distinctively Christian in its content, grounded in the doctrine of the Trinity and devotion to the humanity of Christ. Within Christianity he achieved a striking integration of Eastern and Western elements

'But if you wish to know how these things come about ask grace not instruction, desire not understanding, the groaning of prayer not diligent reading, the Spouse not the teacher, God not man, darkness not clarity, not light but the fire that totally enflames and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections. This fire is God and his furnace is in Jerusalem...' --Bonaventure, 1217-1274

Covers Title page Contents Author of the Preface Editor of this Volume Acknowledgments Preface Foreword Introduction The Soul's Journey Into God The Tree of Life The Life of St. Francis (Legenda Maior) Selected Bibliography Index to Preface and Introduction Index Named "The Prince of Mystics" by Leo XIII, Bonaventure (1217-1274), friar and professor at the University of Paris, was considered a great spiritual master in his own lifetime. These great works show the core of his vision. Since happiness is nothing other than the enjoyment of the highest good and since the highest good is above, no one can be made happy unless he rise above himself, not by an ascent of the body, but of the heart. Translated from the Latin. Bibliography: p. 329-333. Includes indexes. The soul's journey into God.--The tree of life.--The life of St. Francis Classics, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Mysticism, CS, ST