Memorial of Saint Bonaventure

Christ on the Cross – Stella Maris Church, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Diocese of Saint John, NB

On the Cross,
Christ’s head is bowed in reverence,
offering His Grace in mercy, and compassion to His brothers and sisters,
bringing us into a fraternity which the world’s isolating ‘equality’ cannot offer.
Arms outstretched, that he might embrace us.
Hands open, to enrich us.
Hands, feet, nailed, that He may stay there with us and for us,
He will not leave us.
His side is open for us, to enter into His Church,
Word, water, wine, given for us.

See Bonaventure’s Soliloquium, I.39.
The Prayer of St. Bonaventura – Francisco de Zurbarán