Bona, Giovanni

Bona, Giovanni, an Italian writer, and cardinal of the Romish Church, was born at Mondovi, in Piedmont, Oct. 10, 1609. Having distinguished himself in his studies, he entered, in 1625, the order of the Feuillans, and in 1651 he was made general of his congregation. Pope Alexander VII employed him in many ways, and made him Consultor of the Congregation of the Index, Qualificator of the Holy Office; and in 1669 Clement IX made him cardinal. He died at Rome Oct. 27, 1674, after he had made a revision of all his works, the chief of which are—

1. De Divina Psalmodia, ejusque causis, mysteris, et discipline, which treats of all matters relating to the holy office (Rome and Paris, 1663, 4to): 2. Manuductio ad coelum: 3. Via compendii ad Deumn: 4. Tractatus asceticus de discretione Spirituum : 5. De Sacrificio Misc:

6. Horolgium asceticuns: 7. De principiis itce Christianc: 8. De rebus Liturgicis,

containing all information concerning the rites, prayers, and ceremonies of the mass (Rome, 1671, fol.; Paris, 1672, 4to); it was afterward revised and augmented by a dissertation on the use of fermented bread at the mass. All his works (except his poems and letters) have been collected in 3 vols. 8vo. The best edition of his works is that of Sala (Turin, 1747-53, 4 vols. fol.).