For those familiar with Bonaventure’s written works, I hope you can recognize the references to his work “The Soul’s Journey into God” and “the Life of Saint Francis.” I took some further liberties by throwing in references to Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life,” which shares the name with one of Bonaventure’s most notable works, as well as some making reference to my own art heroes (Fra Angelico and Giotto), through their respective portrayals of Bonaventure’s theological heroes: Augustine and Francis.

The coal touching Bonaventure’s lips are meant to evoke the seraphim of Isaiah (for Bonaventure’s title, the Seraphic Doctor), but also as a connection to the stories he tells of St. Francis. The geometric design is centralized over Bonaventure’s “mind,” to embolize the paradigmatic center of Reason to Scholastic theology. The layers of gold, patterned fire, and the colorful cosmos represent Bonaventure’s greatest idea of how the layers of reality (phenomenal, metaphysical, transcendental) are all of God.

I wanted to make this drawing as an act of devotion to St. Bonaventure, because the way he followed after Christ is the way I am made to imitate. For example, just as Bonaventure gifted the world with his great text about the life of St. Francis, I too have discovered great joy in shining a light on the lives of other saints, through my art, my writing, and my teaching. The gift of the patron saint is much like a holy icon: they give glimpses of the whole of life, of which we can only know in part. St. Bonaventure helps me remember what my life is about; and with his intercessions, we can carry on in the journey towards the Tree of Life.

If you wish to know yourself and want to do the will of Christ whole-heartedly, find a patron saint in Heaven and join with them in prayer!