Boniface, Saint (675-754), was an English-born Christian missionary noted for his work in Germany. Boniface became known as the Apostle of Germany. As a bishop and later as archbishop of Mainz, he helped set up an organized church in Germany. He converted many Germans and founded some of Germany’s first monasteries.
Boniface was born in the county of Devon. His original name was Winfrid. He became a priest about 705 and received the name of Boniface from Pope Gregory II in 718. Boniface worked for several years as a missionary in what is now the province of Friesland in the northern part of the Netherlands. However, he spent most of his life doing missionary work in central and western Germany. As a legate (special representative) of the pope, in 751 he anointed Pepin the Short, who was the first king of the Carolingian dynasty. About 754, Boniface returned to Friesland. He was killed by pagans there during a confirmation service for converts. His feast day is June 5, the day of his death.
