14th century

Blessed Bonaventure Bonaccorsi

OF THE ORDER OF SERVITES (1315).

of the Order of Servites

Death: 1315 (naturelle)
Categories: religious , confessor
Era: 14th century
Associated Places: Pistoia (IT) , Monte Senario (IT)

Summary

A former leader of the Ghibelline faction in Pistoia, Bonaventure Bonaccorsi converted under the influence of Saint Philip Benizi. Having become a Servite religious, he distinguished himself through his penance at Monte Senario and his apostolic zeal. He died in Orvieto in 1315 after working for civil peace and the direction of souls.

Guided reading

5 reading sections

BLESSED BONAVENTURE BONACCORSI,

OF THE ORDER OF SERVITES (1315).

Life 01 / 05

Origins and political commitment

Born in Pistoia into a noble family, Bonaccorsi became a leader of the Ghibelline faction during the civil unrest of the 13th century.

Bonaccorsi was born in Pist oia, a city in Tuscany, at the time when the Guelph and Ghibelline parties were devastating Italy (13th century).

He belonged to one of the most distinguished families of the city. Giving himself over with passion to the impetuosity of youth, he becam e one of the lea ders of the Ghibelline faction, and was the cause of great unrest for his native city. Amidst the agitations of his life, he completely forgot the care of his soul.

Conversion 02 / 05

Conversion and entry into religious life

Touched by the preaching of Saint Philip Benizi, he abandoned his political activities to enter the Servite Order and reconcile with his enemies.

Saint Philip Benizi, fleeing the episcopate, came to Pistoia and worked to extinguish civil discord. His words touched a great number of his listeners, and in particular Bonaccorsi. He came to throw himself at the feet of the Saint, made a humble confession of his faults, and e ntered hi s Order.

He was seen, at the request of Saint Philip Benizi, reconciling with his enemies and working to repair the evils that internal strife had caused the city. His conduct was an object of admiration for all.

Life 03 / 05

Monastic life at Monte Senario

Under the name of Bonaventure, he retired to Monte Senario where he became a model of virtue, fasting, and prayer for his brothers.

Having taken the name of Bonaven ture to express his joy, the Blessed one went to Mon te Senario, where he made such rapid progress in virtue in a short time that he became a model that the religious strove to imitate. Giving himself unceasingly to fasting, vigils, and prayer, he thought constantly of death and prepared himself for it.

Mission 04 / 05

Priestly Ministry and Foundations

Having become a priest, he founded a confraternity in Pistoia, directed several monasteries, and provided spiritual direction to Saint Agnes.

Raised to the priesthood, he establi shed in Pist oia a Confraternity which took the name of Penitents o f Saint Mary. To fully immerse himself in the mercies of God, he devoted himself under the guidance of Saint Philip to the study of the Holy Scriptures, and made such progress therein that he was charged with governing several monasteries, and he discharged this function to the complete satisfaction of his superiors.

Not content with working for the direction of his brothers in the ways of perfection, he occupied himself with bringing souls back to Jesus Christ, and obtained numerous conversions among the p eople. It wa s he who received the vows of Saint Agnes and governed the convent she had founded.

Cult 05 / 05

Death and recognition of the cult

He died in Orvieto in 1315; his cult was officially approved by Pope Pius VII in 1822.

He was held in such veneration that during his lifetime he was called the Blessed. He died in Orvie to in 1 315, and was buried in the church of his Order, under the altar of the Blessed Virgin. Pius VI I approved his cult on April 23, 1822.