Saint Boniface
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| Saint Boniface | |
| Feast Day | June 05 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Germany; England; brewers; tailors; Fulda |
| Birthplace | Crediton, Devon, Kingdom of Wessex |
| Death Place | Dokkum, Frisia, Frankish Empire |
| Cause of Death | martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Fulda Cathedral, Domplatz 1, 36037 Fulda, Germany |
Saint Boniface (Latin: Bonifatius; Old English: Winfrid, Wynfrith; c. 675 – 5 June 754), born Winfrid in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, was an English Benedictine monk, missionary, bishop, and martyr who became known as the “Apostle of the Germans.”[1] According to contemporary biographies by Willibald (c. 760) and Otloh of St. Emmeram (11th century), Boniface left the abbey of Nursling in 718, received papal commission from Gregory II in 719, and spent over 35 years evangelizing the Germanic tribes east of the Rhine, founding monasteries (Fulda 744), reorganizing the Frankish church under Charles Martel and Pippin III, and establishing the archbishopric of Mainz.[2] On 5 June 754, while confirming converts in Frisia, he and 52 companions were massacred by pagan raiders near Dokkum; his death is recorded in the Vita and Frankish annals.[3]
Venerated immediately as a martyr, Boniface was never formally canonized; his cult was confirmed by ancient recognition and translation of relics to Fulda in 755 by Bishop Lull. His feast on 5 June is celebrated throughout the German-speaking world and in the Roman Calendar. While hagiographic traditions embellish events such as the miraculous felling of Donar’s Oak at Geismar (c. 723) and the spring that burst forth at his martyrdom site, these are presented in Willibald’s Vita as signs of divine favor rather than strictly historical facts.[4] Patron of Germany, brewers, tailors, and Fulda, his relics rest in Fulda Cathedral.
Biography
Birth
Saint Boniface was born Winfrid around 675 in Crediton, Devon, in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, to a noble family, as stated in Willibald’s near-contemporary Vita.[5]
Early Life
Educated at the monasteries of Exeter and Nursling (Adescancastre), Winfrid became a monk, teacher, and abbot, renowned for Latin scholarship and composition of a grammar.[6]
Occupation
Ordained priest c. 705, Winfrid taught at Nursling and wrote the first Latin grammar produced in England.[7]
Vocation
In 718, Winfrid received missionary mandate from Pope Gregory II, taking the name Boniface (“doer of good”). He evangelized Hesse, Thuringia, and Frisia, founding dioceses (Erfurt, Würzburg, Eichstätt) and the abbey of Fulda (744).[8]
Death
On 5 June 754, while awaiting confirmation candidates near Dokkum, Boniface and 52 companions were attacked and killed by Frisian pagans. His last act was to hold the Gospel book above his head.[9]
Saint Boniface met his end through martyrdom.
Significant events
- Received papal commission from Gregory II, 719.
- Felled Donar’s Oak at Geismar, c. 723.
- Founded abbey of Fulda, 744.
- Crowned Pippin the Short at Soissons, 751.
- Martyred at Dokkum, 5 June 754.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Crediton, Devon, Kingdom of Wessex
Death location: Dokkum, Frisia, Frankish Empire
Notable location: Abbot and monastic school (Monastery of Nursling, Nursling, Hampshire, England)
Notable location: Founded abbey and burial site (Fulda Cathedral, Domplatz 1, 36037 Fulda, Hesse, Germany)
Notable location: Archiepiscopal seat (Mainz Cathedral, Markt 10, 55116 Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Notable location: Site of martyrdom (Dokkum Boniface Shrine, Bonifatiuspark, 9101 Dokkum, Friesland, Netherlands)
Notable location:
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Canonization
As an 8th-century martyr, Saint Boniface was venerated immediately; his cult was confirmed by translation of relics to Fulda in 755.
Miracles
No formal miracles required; traditions include:
- Donar’s Oak felled without harm, wind destroying pagan shrine.
- Spring appearing at martyrdom site.
Patronage
Saint Boniface is patron of Germany, brewers, tailors, file cutters, and Fulda.
Feast day
June 05
Veneration
Saint Boniface is venerated on 5 June with outdoor Masses at the Boniface Oak site and pilgrimages to Fulda. Relics in Fulda Cathedral crypt.
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Boniface". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02656a.htm.
- ↑ "Saint Boniface". Holy See. https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20000616_st-boniface_en.html.
- ↑ "Saint Boniface". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface.
- ↑ "St. Boniface". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=29.
- ↑ "St. Boniface". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02656a.htm.
- ↑ "Saint Boniface". Holy See. https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20000616_st-boniface_en.html.
- ↑ "Saint Boniface". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface.
- ↑ "St. Boniface". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=29.
- ↑ "St. Boniface". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02656a.htm.