eal of contemplation and zeal, and which, under the
guidance of God's Providence, has been destined to render the
Franciscan Order an effective force in dealing with the world's most
vital problems. Together with this pursuit of learning came the
introduction into the Order of a uniform exterior observance; an
observance inculcated and fostered by a systematized code of
Constitutions and ordinances which remain substantially the same
to-day as when first framed centuries ago.

The life of St. Bonaventure may, accordingly, be considered as the
ideal to which the modern Franciscan tends: an ideal in which the
simplicity of St. Francis is blended with a thorough grasp of the
latest developments in scientific thought: in which personal holiness,
because cognizant of self-weakness, is {ix} large-hearted and generous
in its sympathy with others: in which the multitudinous details of
active and administrative life are raised by a strong interior spirit
from what might be a fertile source of distraction into a means of
closer union with God.

We have now but to add that the following pages on the life-work of
St. Bonaventure, written by the late Fr. Laurence Costelloe, O.F.M.,
are based on the critical life of the Seraphic Doctor contained in the
tenth volume of his works (Quaracchi, 1902). At the request of his
superiors he intended to revise and publish his work, but sudden death
frustrated his design. This revision has now been undertaken by the
Rev. Fr. Leo, O.F.M., who has verified the sources, and introduced
such changes as were demanded by the prescribed length of this work.

OSMUND COONEY, O.F.M.,
_Provincial_.

THE FRIARY, FOREST GATE, LONDON,
_Feast of the Annunciation, 1911_

{x}

{xi}

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 1
II. SANCTITY AND LEARNING 8
III. THE MENDICANT ORDERS ASSAILED 17
IV. THE MENDICANTS VINDICATED 23
V. MINISTER-GENERAL 30
VI. DISCIPLINE AND OBSERVANCE 37
VII. INCIDENTS OF ADMINISTRATION 45
VIII. ST. FRANCIS' BIOGRAPHER 56
IX. INTERIOR SPIRIT 64
X. LOVE OF GOD 72
XI. THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF YORK 82
XII. MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES OF THE SAINT 88
XIII. THE CARDINALATE 97
XIV. DEATH 104