Christian Heritage - July 15 - The Fountain of Life

"O soul devoted to God, whoever you may be, fly with eager longing to this fountain of life and light. With all the strength of your heart cry out to him: 'O inexpressible beauty of God most high, pure radiance of eternal life! O light that illumines every other light, and preserves in undying splendor the manifold flames that have shone before the throne of your divinity ever since the primal dawn! O stream eternal and inaccessible, flowing clear and sweet from a spring concealed from mortal eyes. None can sound your abyss nor fathom your depths; your breadth cannot be measured; your purity cannot be sullied. From this spring flows the river which gladdens the city of God, so that with cries of joy and thanksgiving we sing you hymns of praise, and learn by experience that with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we shall see light.'"

Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (AD 1217-1274), The Tree of Life, Opusculum 3, 47

Bonaventure was the cardinal bishop of Albano and played an important role in the events of the Council of Lyons in 1274.