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1 results

  • 10 - Looking Above: The Third Pair of Wings and the Crucified Christ

  • from Part II - Commentary
  • Randall Smith, University of St. Thomas, Houston
  • Book:
    Bonaventure's 'Journey of the Soul into God'
    Published online:
    23 November 2024
    Print publication:
    28 November 2024, pp 392-416

  • Summary

    In Chapter 10, I discuss the final three chapters of the Itinerarium (chapters 5, 6, and 7). The first two correspond to the third pair of the Seraph’s wings, those above his head, representing the vision of God we get looking “above” our minds to the transcendental properties “Being” (chapter 5) and “Goodness” (chapter 6). To make the contrasting points he wishes to make about the unity and Trinity of God, however, Bonaventure decides he must switch his imagery from the third pair of Seraph wings to the pair of wings on each of the two Cherubim that were said to surround the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple. After these two chapters, Bonaventure adds a short concluding chapter (chapter 7) that corresponds to the image of Christ crucified that St. Francis saw in center of the seraph’s wings. At this stage of the ascent, all intellectual effort must cease and those journeying who wish to ascend must simply rest in the mystery of God’s love.