Patron Saint is St. Boniface

Boniface

also known as

Winfred, Wynfrith, Apostle of Germany

Memorial

5 June

Profile

Educated at the Benedictine monastery at Exeter, England. Benedictine monk at Exeter. Missionary to Germany from 719, assisted by Saint Abel, and St. Agatha. Destroyed idols and pagan temples, and built churches on the sites. Bishop. Archbishop of Mainz. Reformed churches in his see, and built religious houses in Germany. Ordained St. Sola. Founded or restored the dioceses of Bavaria, Thuringgia, and Franconia. Evangelized in Holland, but was set upon by a troop of pagans, and he and 52 of his flock were martyred.

In Saxony, Boniface encountered a tribe worshipping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree. Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took up an axe, and without a word he hacked down the six foot wide wooden god. Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, " How stands your mighty god ? My God is stronger than he " The crowds reaction was mixed, but some conversions were begun.

One tradition about Saint Boniface says that he used the customs of the locals to help convert them. There was a game in which they threw sticks called Kegels at smaller sticks called Heides. Boniface brought religion to the game, having the Heides represent demons, and knocking them down showing purity of spirit.

Born - c. 673 - 680 at Crediton, Devenshire, England

Died - martyred 5 June 754 at Freisland, Holland; body at monastery at Fulda

Patronage - brewers; diocese of Fulda, Germany; tailors