St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
St. Bonaventure was born in Bagnoregio, in the Lazio, in 1218. While completing his studies in France, he entered the Order of Friars Minor. In 1257, he was elected Minister General of the Franciscan Order, which, already in a few decades, counted 20.000 religious. The seventeen years of government by St. Bonaventura, influenced the Order so greatly, that he was called the second founder of the Order. Among the principal actions of his generalship, the publication of the Narbon Constitutions must be mentioned, on which all the following Constitutions of the Order would be based. Among the works written by St. Bonaventure, besides those of theological and mystical character, is the Legenda Maior, or the official biography of St. Francis (which is the inspiration of the Franciscan Cycle Frescos of Giotto in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi). Created Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, he participated in the II Council of Lyons, which, thanks to his contribution also marked a reapproachment between the Latin Church and the Greek Church. He died in Lyons on July 15, 1274.