The red bricked Church of Laguna, located in the historic parish of St. John the Baptist of Liliw, Laguna, is not only known for its miraculous Patron San Juan Bautista, but also for its miraculous second patron – San Buenaventura. Since the miraculous lachrymation of his image in 1664, the miraculous San Buenaventura of Liliw has received a great deal of attention and devotion in Liliw.
THE HOLY IMAGE OF SAN BUENAVENTURA
The San Buenaventura of Liliw image is a wooden representation of St. Bonaventure as a Franciscan bishop holding his crozier and a book – to represent his title as “Doctor of the Church.” The image also wears a stole given to him by his followers.
THE WAY OF LIFE
St. Bonaventure, also known as “the seraphic doctor,” was born in 1221 in Bagnoregio, Lazio, central Italy. He was given the name Bonaventure as a result of St. Francis of Assisi’s exclamation when, in response to the child’s mother’s pleading, the saint prayed for John’s recovery from a dangerous illness and, foreseeing the child’s future greatness, cried out “O Buona ventura!”-O good fortune!
St. Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order at the age of twenty-two. After taking his vows, he was sent to Paris to finish his studies with the renowned doctor Alexander of Hales, an Englishman and a Franciscan. After the latter’s death, he was carried on by his successor, John of Rochelle. In Paris, he became close to the great St. Thomas Aquinas. He received the degree of Doctor along with St. Thomas Aquinas, granting his friend the honor of having it bestowed upon him against the latter’s wishes. He, like St. Thomas Aquinas, was a friend of the holy King, St. Louis.
He was elected General of his Order at the age of thirty-five, and he restored perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal squabbles. He contributed significantly to his Order and wrote The Life of St. Francis. He also helped with the translation of St. Anthony of Padua’s relics. Pope Clement IV nominated him as Archbishop of York, but he refused to accept the position. Gregory X forced him to accept a higher position, Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of Rome’s six suffragy a Sees. Prior to his death, he resigned as General of the Franciscan Order. On July 15, 1274, he died while assisting at the Second Council of Lyons. Pope Sixtus IV canonized St. Bonaventure in 1482 and declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1588.
THE MIRACLE IN LILIW
The miracle occurred on December 26, 1664, when the image began to weep and sweat blood in the presence of Rev. Fr. Juan Pastor and 120 witnesses in the Liliw parish People began to develop a devotion to San Buenaventura after the reported miracle, and numerous favors and other miracles were reported and duly recorded, which is why he is immediately regarded as the Second Patron of Liliw, Laguna.
The image was then enthroned in the a retablo menor, and after a few years, it was kept hidden from the public until it was re-enthroned in his own chapel in 2008, after records of the lachrymation resurfaced.
At the moment, the image is enclosed in his own chapel within the parish, where devotees can pay their respects to San Buenaventura and his first class relic, which is also housed in his altar. Aside from his liturgical feast day, July 15, December 26 is also commemorated solemnly by the town with a solemn procession in honor of their miraculous weeping patron.
St. Bonaventure was able to reconcile pastoral and practical aspects of life with Church doctrines. As a result, his teachings and writings have a noticeable warmth to them, making him very appealing. St. Bonaventure combined holiness and theological knowledge so well that he ascended to the heights of mysticism while remaining an active preacher and teacher, beloved by all who met him. To remember him was to love him, and to read him is to meet a true Franciscan and gentleman even today.
References:
Joyce's Digital Journey 