Saint Boniface

At the parish of St. John the Baptist in Hanover, Kansas, we proudly have a statue of St. Boniface in the sanctuary. As we celebrate this memorial, I also think back to my time in the seminary at Saint Meinrad in Indiana. A few miles down the road from the seminary is the city of Fulda, Indiana and the parish church of St. Boniface. I had the opportunity to teach religious education there for a year. "Saint Boniface was born in England about the year 673. He was first professed in the monastic life in Exeter but in 719 went to Germany to preach the Gospel. He made many converts there and was consecrated bishop, ruling over the church in Mainz. He attracted many companions by whose help he founded or restored dioceses in Bavaria, Thuringia, and Franconia. He also convened councils and promulgated laws. While preaching the Gospel to the Frisians, St. Boniface was killed by pagans in 754. His body is buried in the monastery of Fulda" (Magnificat, 75). Saint Boniface was not afraid to proclaim the Gospel and even give of his life for its sake. As the entrance antiphon for the day read, "This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock." What a beautiful example for us in our present day. We find ourselves fighting for Religious Liberty and Freedom. We can look to St. Boniface for his intercession and know that divine assistance is always there for the asking because we are a people who believe in Religious Liberty and believe in living the truth at all times. Saint Boniface, pray for us!!!