Memorial of Saints (July 15)

Bonaventure (died 1274 A.D.): O.F.M. minister general for 17 years; Cardinal bishop of Albano; authored biblical commentaries and many ascetical and spiritual treatises, esp Journey of the Soul into God; known as the "seraphic Doctor."

There are two stories in relation to how he got the name Bonaventure. One story tells how Maria, his mother, pleaded to St. Francis to cure the dangerous illness that Bonaventure was stricken with as a baby. Another story tells how St. Francis cured him of a mortal illness when only 4 years old. Whichever was true, what was important is that both share the legend of St. Bonaventure being healed from his ailment, and St. Francis seeing a great future for the baby and exclaimed, "O buona venture" - O good fortune! O good encounter! That was how he got the name Bonaventure.

Learn more about St. Bonaventure's writings and spirituality

also on July 15:

• James of Nisibis, bishop;
• Barhadbesaba, martyr;
• Donald;
• Swithun, bishop;
• Athanasius of Naples, bishop;
• Edith of Polesworth;
• Valdimir of Kiev;
• David of Munktorp, bishop;
• Pompilio Pirrotti

Donald (8th century A.D.) was a resident of Ogilvy in Scotland. He formed a religious group with his nine daughters after the death of his wife. They later entered a monastery at Abernethy.

15th Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from) 15th Sunday of the Year (B), July 15, 2012

Liturgical readings

Amos 7:12-15
Psalm 85
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:7-13

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them."

God sent His Son Jesus for an itinerant mission. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus summoned the Twelve, and sent them for the same itinerant mission. In mission, obedience and poverty Jesus sent the Twelve to preach the Good News. Those three Christian ideals can be gleaned from this Sunday's gospel. Jesus practiced them first in His life as a poor, itinerant preacher. Leading by example, He summoned the Twelve to follow Him, and they obey in zeal and poverty. It is this same missionary spirit that enkindles every missionary in the Church to go forth into the world to proclaim the Good News of God's Kingdom.

The lay faithful are also called to share in this mission. We are called to sanctify the secular realities we find ourselves in. How can we do it? By practicing a regimen of kindness with others at work, and in the streets while commuting to, and from work. Sanctification of one's secular environments is the main mission that all baptized can do in the same manner as Christ and the Twelve apostles. To sanctify means to start with our own sanctification - through sacrifices and healing experiences. This purifying process makes Christ more real and present in ourselves. The source of sanctification, and the strength to sanctify the realities around us have their rootedness in Jesus - our reason for the mission. Christ is the Life of the mission. And the mission of everyone in the Church is to share this Life.

The Christ that we share with others we receive in the Sacraments through the Church. It can be done also by joining parish-based lay ministries. These are concrete roads to make Christ known to others. But as much in classic spirituality teaches, whether it be parish-based or in the secular environments of work, prayer is always primary. Everything else is corollary. The roots of sharing God's Kingdom is one's connection to Christ in prayer. Only if we do so will all actions bear fruit in the Spirit: humility, understanding, patience, hope, and charity. This rootedness in Christ in prayer and the Sacraments is the simplest path to join the Church in mission, obedience and poverty.

Memorial of Saints (July 13)

Henry II: (died 1024 A.D.); together with his wife, St. Cunegunda, he assisted the poor; as emperor, he respected the Church’s freedom, fostering ecclesiastical and monastic reform; founded the see of Bamberg as a center for missions to the Slavs; patron of Finland and Benedictine oblates.

also on July 13:

• Silas or Silvanus;
• Maura and Brigid;
• Eugenius of Carthage, bishop;
• Mildred, virgin;
• James of Voragine, bishop;
• Francis Solano

Silas or Silvanus (1st century A.D.) was one of the leaders of the Church of Jerusalem. He went with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to communicate the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem to the Gentile community. Tradition says that he became the first bishop of Corinth and that he died in Macedonia.