Introduction

Our most holy Lord Pope Sixtus IV's

Diploma

By which Bl. Bonaventure, Cardinal Bishop of Alba

Is registered in the Canon of the Saints

Pope Sixtus IV
Servant of the Servants of God

As a perpetual memorial

April 14, 1482 A.D.

Supernal, celestial fatherland, the City of Jerusalem, whose own participation is in itself, so rejoices in the salvation of all the elect, that the more outstanding are the merits of these, the more copious does it also receive the joys of the rewards. Which having been placed in an ecstasy of his mind the Prophet Isaias seems to have understood, when he said (Is. 12:6) "Exult and rejoice, dwelling of Sion, since great in your midst is the Saint." Therefore do the choirs of all the Angels exult, who, anxious over the inhabiting of the empty thrones, begin to conduct (souls) from virtue to virtue, to those blessed mansions, from which the proud spirits were hurled down, via humility. All the souls of the just also exult, who have followed the footsteps of Christ and also all the faithful friends of God as much as from the Old as from the New Testament, who, having contemned the vanities of this age, rejoice together in the multitude of fellow citizens. Let the heaven exult in praise, let the earth resound with joys, since the generation of the Saints has brought gladness to very many. For mightily does the piety of the faith demand, that what is conducted for the salvation of the many, be celebrated everywhere with common joys. In truth does the Pontiff of the union of the blessed especially rejoice, and the sacred assembly of the Doctors, who shine in Heaven as stars for perpetual eternities, among whom saint Bonaventure, as a new luminary, from this vally of tears to the celestial (place), which is Jerusalem on high, with God calling him, migrating (onward), has lept forth.