The Role Of Charity In The Ecclesiology Of St. Bonaventure -pontificia Facultas Theologica S. Bonaventurae. Dissertationes Ad Lauream- //free\\ Jun 2026

The Dissertationes ad lauream from the Pontificia Facultas Theologica S. Bonaventurae have consistently argued that Bonaventure offers not a nostalgic medieval model but a theological architecture for all times. The role of charity in his ecclesiology is neither decorative nor optional; it is .

The Theological Foundation: Charity as the Form of the Church The Dissertationes ad lauream from the Pontificia Facultas

Achieving perfect conformity to Christ’s love on the Cross. 3. Poverty and the Crucified Love The Theological Foundation: Charity as the Form of

1.1. The Holy Spirit as Donum and Vinculum Amoris in the Trinity 1.2. Charity as created participation in uncreated Love 1.3. The order of the theological virtues: primacy of charity The Holy Spirit as Donum and Vinculum Amoris

In his Sermons on the Annunciation , Bonaventure argues that Mary conceived Christ in her heart through charity before she conceived him in her womb. The Church, therefore, is called to be a "Virgin-Mother": a mother through the preaching of the Word (hierarchy), and a virgin through the purity of undivided love (charity). The hierarchy without Marian charity becomes sterile; the mystical life without hierarchical order becomes anarchic. The Church is most herself when, like Mary, she says "Fiat" in perfect love.

Should we narrow this down to how Bonaventure differentiates within the church hierarchy, or focus on his Franciscan influence ?