In 2012 we published a fresh translation from that of the Bonaventurian scholar, Zachary Hayes OFM, yet trying to connect more closely with the language of the 21st century. This recently abridged version uses our original translation: Journey into God by St. Bonaventure: Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, translated by Josef Raischl OSF and André Cirino OFM, Tau-Publishing 2012.

During each of the retreats, we re-read the text written in 1259 by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the philosopher/theologian of the University of Paris and at the time, General Minister of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi.

Each reading of the text has been insightful, but also sometimes rather challenging to people not used to this type of literature. So occasionally, the question arose: Why not abridge the text and thereby highlight the most important, meaningful, and precious pearls of his text?

We are convinced that St. Bonaventure still offers the postmodern world a valid structure by which to enter into a wholesome spiritual and contemplative experience. This journey can offer a complete understanding of what spirituality is about.

One retreatant, a children’s story writer, composed children´s stories from each chapter in order to comprehend St. Bonaventure´s thrust for herself. And it worked! So too, we thought that it is possible to attempt to prune the text to its very essentials. Sections of the text also are dated in the sense that the author included examples of what the natural sciences, like medicine, physics and mathematics of his time, were teaching.

So, by condensing the text, how can one preserve the precious pearls of this mystical work while remaining faithful to its meaning? Perhaps by this abridged version which we present here!

After each of the sections we added a mantra drawn from Bonaventure’s writing in an attempt to capture the meaning of that particular chapter. So if you are a musician, you might try to sing or play it, ruminating over it several times, so you might be able to internalize the wisdom of what you have read. If you want to listen to it, you can do so on our website assisijourney.org. All mantras are Included in the online retreat experience mentioned above.

Buon viaggio! Happy journey!