Feast of Saint Boniface of Mainz

 

St. Boniface (675 AD-754 AD) was called Winfrith until Pope Gregory II changed it and sent him off to convert the heathens in what is now Germany. To abet the conversions, he chopped down the giant oak of Geismar, a tree dedicated to Thor. The tree fell in the shape of a cross.


Sometimes faith can be a tricky thing:

"One day in 754 while he was awaiting some confirmands, an enemy band attacked his camp. Although his companions wanted to fight, Boniface told them to trust in God and to welcome death for the faith. All of them were martyred."

St. Boniface is buried in the cathedral in Fulda. He's the patron saint of Germany.