Commemoration June 5
June 5
Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz,
Missionary to Germany,
Martyr, d. 754
Reflection
At sunrise on Pentecost, which celebrates the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit, Boniface was reading the Gospel to a group of new converts to
Christianity in Frisia (northwest Germany
and the northern Netherlands),
where he had been doing mission work. He and the new converts were slaughtered
by a band of pagans from Frisia. The very Gospel from which Boniface was
purportedly reading is preserved, along with the slash marks from the sword
that killed him.
The name Boniface means “good deeds.” While his first
missionary activities among the Vandal tribes in Germany were unsuccessful, he
returned two years later, and the seeds of the Gospel began to take root among
people of violent and superstitious practices. He helped monks and nuns of the
Benedictine order to establish churches, schools, and seminaries. His reforming
efforts led to the end of the practice of selling church offices to the highest
bidder.
Prayer
Lord God, Thank you for the life and witness of your servant,
Boniface. Inspire us by his faithful and courageous witness, even unto death.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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