Gospel in Art: Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor

St Bonaventure receiving the Habit from St Francis by Francisco de Herrera the Elder, 1628 ©Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 15 July 2026
Matthew 23:8-12

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bonaventure, the great Franciscan theologian, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church. The painting we reflect upon today is one of a series of eight works by Herrera and Zurbarán, created for the church of the Collegio de San Buenaventura in Seville, illustrating key moments from the life of Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274). This particular canvas depicts the young Bonaventure kneeling before Saint Francis of Assisi, receiving the Franciscan habit. The artists chose a palette of earthy beige and brown tones throughout the series, visually echoing the simplicity of the Franciscan habit and spirit.

Saint Bonaventure is often regarded as the second founder of the Franciscan Order. Like Saint Francis, he placed Christ at the very heart of his theology and pastoral vision. All his writings flow from a deep love of Christ. His seminal work, The Journey of the Mind to God, offers a profound reflection on how reason and faith together lead the soul towards union with God. In Bonaventure, we encounter a theologian whose intellect was matched by deep humility and burning devotion. He lived as a man in whom faith illuminated reason, and reason deepened faith. For him, the love of God and the pursuit of truth were not two separate paths, but one single journey of the heart and mind toward the divine.

The painting draws us into a moment of reverence. Bonaventure kneels in an attitude of humility and devotion, his youthful form ready to embrace the Franciscan way of life with great enthusiasm. Before him, Saint Francis sits with gentle authority, presenting the habit (on the floor before him). It marks not only Bonaventure's formal entry into the Order, but also the spiritual passing of Franciscan ideals to the young theologian, who would go on to articulate them for generations to come.

A beautiful story is told about Saint Bonaventure and his friend Saint Thomas Aquinas. After reading Bonaventure's writings, Thomas is said to have visited him and asked, "Master Bonaventure, from which books have you drawn such wisdom?" Bonaventure did not point to a library or a shelf of manuscripts. Instead, he gestured towards a simple crucifix hanging on the wall and replied, "This is my book. Here I learn everything that I write." Whether the story is strictly historical or not, it captures something powerful.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-23-8-12-2026-4/