Prayer to Saint Boniface — apostle of Germany

English Benedictine monk, born Wynfreth around 675 in Wessex. Sent by Pope Gregory II, who gave him the name Boniface and the mandate to evangelise Germania, he felled at Geismar the sacred Oak of Donar (Thor) before the pagans, who were converted on seeing that no divine punishment struck him down; with its wood he built a chapel. He founded monasteries, among them Fulda, as centres of evangelisation. He was martyred on 5 June 754, near Dokkum in Frisia, while preparing to confirm new Christians; tradition says he raised the book of the Gospels to shield himself as the blow fell — the codex is venerated at Fulda. Feast: 5 June.

O God, who through the zeal of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr, called many peoples of Germania to the faith and crowned him with the palm of martyrdom: grant us, through his intercession, the courage to profess and spread the faith he taught with his word and sealed with his blood, and to cast down in us and around us the idols that draw us away from you. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.