Revisiting Bonaventure’s Understanding of Spiritual Progress as Reflected in the Legenda major Sancti Francisci

Revisiting Bonaventure’s Understanding of Spiritual Progress as Reflected in the Legenda major Sancti Francisci

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine Bonaventure’s under-standing of the stages of Francis’ spiritual progress as presented in the Legenda major Sancti Francisci. Many scholars have claimed that the description of Francis’ spiritual growth was deeply influenced by Bonaventure’s spiritual theology, which was shaped by the Dionysian tradition. A close reading of the Legenda major reveals three significant themes that are not addressed in the other works of Dionysius and Bonaventure: the repeated emphasis on poverty, the achievement of the three central virtues of poverty, humility and obedience, Francis’ love and communion with all of nature and the continual ascent of Francis’ soul in the perfection stage. This paper will argue that these themes reflect the Egyptian monastic spiritual tradition derived from Evagrius, Cassian and Benedict, thereby providing a new interpretive framework for understanding the theory of spiritual progress in the Legenda major. Through this lens, it will be shown that Bonaventure’s account of Francis’ spiritual perfection in the Legenda major incorporates not only the Dionysian tradition but also diverse monastic traditions and spiritual theologies. Furthermore, the conclusion will briefly elucidate the profound influence Francis had on early Korean Protestant leaders and the formation of monastic spirituality. It is posited that this study on Francis’ spiritual progress can contribute to the revival of socially engaged monastic spirituality, which was a crucial axis of early Korean church spirituality, at a time when a renewal of Korean church spirituality is imperative in the post-COVID-19 era.