On the occasion of the 750th anniversary of his death in 1274, the Order of Malta honours St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, a Franciscan saint of the Viterbo tradition, in the year in which the Order also celebrated the fifth centenary of the establishment of its seat in Viterbo.

St. Bonaventure, a distinguished philosopher and theologian, is considered one of the most important biographers of St. Francis of Assisi. He also served as Minister General of the Franciscan Order. Created Cardinal in 1273 by Pope Gregory X, he was canonised by Pope Sixtus IV in 1482 and proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1588, by Pope Sixtus V. The Catholic Church celebrates his memory on 15 July.

The stamp reproduces the painting by Leandro da Ponte, known as Leandro Bassano, Apparizione della Vergine a San Bonaventura, as indicated in the legend, which is dated between 1596 and 1602. The work is currently housed in the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice.

The stamp is completed by the inscriptions ‘SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA’ and ‘POSTE MAGISTRALI’, the emblem of the Order’s activities and the face value ‘€ 2.90’.

Photo credits: Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice. By concession of the Ministry of Culture of Italy.