Giovanni Bona
Giovanni Bona
(1609 -1674 ) Cardinal , liturgist, born Moncovi, Italy ; died Rome, Italy . Having entered the Cistercian monastery at Pignerola, and labored at Turin, Asti, and Mondovi, he was called to Rome (1651 ) to preside over the whole Cistercian congregation. Pope Alexander VII , his intimate friend, appointed him consultor to the Congregation of the Index and to the Holy Office, and in 1669 he was created cardinal . Besides writing many ascetical works of which the most popular is “A Guide to Eternity” (1658 ; English translation, 1900 ), he is famous as the author of “De Rebus Liturgicis” (1671 ), a veritable liturgical encyclopedia, treating all subjects concerning the Mass such as rites, churches, vestments.