Saint Bonaventure
… a simple poor old woman may love God as much, or more, than a doctor of theology …
The great Saint Bonaventure, a Master of the University of Paris, and minister General of the Franciscan Order loved in a special way Brother Giles
of Assisi. Giles was the third companion to join Saint Francis and he was gifted with the grace of mystical contemplation even though he was
only a simple farmer when he joined the order and always remained a humble laybrother. One day when they were talking together Giles said,
“Father, God has bestowed on you who are very learned many graces, but what shall we do to save ourselves, who are but poor ignorant creatures?”
Saint Bonaventure replied, “If God had bestowed on us nothing but the gift of divine love, it would suffice, because love is more pleasing
to him than anything else we can offer.” “Tell me then,” Giles continued, “if an ignorant person can love God as well as a learned man.” Bonaventure
replied, “A simple poor old woman may love God as much, or more, than a doctor of theology.” But no sooner had Saint Bonaventure uttered this
than Br Giles, filled with seraphic joy ran to the window and shouted to everyone who was standing nearby, “Poor ignorant people, love God
and Jesus Christ, and you shall be grater than Brother Bonaventure.”
If you wish to know more about Brother Giles you will have to look elsewhere, but if you want to know more about the, Seraphic Doctor of the Church, Saint Bonaventure please click here.