St. Boniface
Feast day: June 5
Born in Devonshire, England, Boniface was educated in a Benedictine monastery and became a monk. He felt a calling to missionary work and was sent to Friesland, Netherlands to spread the faith. He also worked in Bavaria and Germany. The pope consecrated him bishop of Germany in 722. Later, as archbishop of Mainz and papal legate, he was asked to reform the Frankish church. In 754, Boniface resigned his see to renew missionary efforts in Friesland. On their way to attend a confirmation in Dokkum, in Frisia (modern Netherlands), Boniface and his companions were suddenly attacked by pagans and slain on June 5. Boniface is the patron saint of Germany.
Collect
May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord,
that we may firmly hold the faith
he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood
and confidently profess it by our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
