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Scott Hoereth wrote:

Greetings my friends,

In January, I had a question regarding the Doctors of the Church for AskACatholic and in February you responded to my satisfaction and I thank you.

My new question: Saint Bonaventure, whose feast day is July 15th, is referred to as  the
Seraphic Doctor.

I have searched many different sources and cannot find a definition for the word seraphic either in my Webster's dictionary, on New Advent or at any other worthwhile source. The best definition
I can personally consider is that seraphic means pure, angelic or without blemish.

Therefore, Saint Bonaventure would be a person who thought as God would think or act.

  • Would this be a correct definition?

Thank you for your continued help.

Your brother in Christ,

Scott Hoereth
Moline, Illinois

  { Seeing St. Bonaventure is referred to as the Seraphic Doctor, what does the word 'seraphic' mean? }

Mike replied:

Hi, Scott —

Yes, that would be correct. This is from Fr. Peter Stravinskas Catholic Dictionary:

Seraph (SER-uhf): One of the angels present at God's throne who constantly praise Him. The prophet Isaiah (Read Isaiah 6:1-7) writes that the seraphim have six wings; one of them touched Isaiah's lips with a hot coal. The Seraphim form the highest choir of angels.

Reverend Peter M.J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.L. Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Dictionary.
Copyright © 1993, Our Sunday Visitor.

I believe the name means burning ones.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Scott replied:

Mike,

Thank you again for your help.

Scott

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
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