Boniface (Wynfrith) of Crediton (Jun 5)

Bishop, Apostle of Germany, Martyr 754

The ‘Flying’ Bishop

Isa. 495-10; Ps. 115; Acts 20:24-28; Luke 10:1-11

‘I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.’ Acts 20:24.

Wynfrith of Crediton

Born Wynfrith (Winfrid) of Crediton, in Devon, in about the year 680, Boniface entered a monastic school near Exeter at the age of seven, and later the Abbey of Nursling, in Winchester diocese, where eventually he became director. He was a brilliant scholar and compiled what is thought to have been the first Latin

Grammar for English students. But his sights were set on Europe: a mission to Friesland in 716 terminated early, and Boniface and his companions returned to Nursling, where, on the death of Abbot Winbert, attempts were made to persuade Boniface to succeed him. He declined the position, and in 718 obtained an audience with Pope Gregory II in Rome, who commissioned him to be virtually a ‘flying’ bishop, with general authority in mission for Europe; if Gregory didn’t cross all the Ts and dot every I, Boniface interpreted the commission as ‘general’ in the widest sense of the word.

Into Germany

Armed with papal authority, Boniface went to the powerful Charles Martel and obtained a sealed pledge of protection which gave him access as bishop to all the dioceses in Germany. At Geismar, he famously attacked the pride of the pagans – a venerable oak tree. Hardly had Boniface begun chopping, when the great tree crashed to the ground and smashed into four pieces. From the wood, Boniface supervised the construction of a Christian church.

Help from England

As the mission expanded, Boniface sent for reinforcements from England, of both monks and nuns – including St Lull (who eventually succeeded Boniface as Metropolitan at Mainz), St Eoban (who suffered martyrdom with Boniface) and St Wigbert. Among the sisters who came were the saint’s learned cousin, St Lioba, and Thecba and Walburga.

One of the monasteries founded by Boniface was at Fulda, where his young protege St Sturmi stayed for many years. On Gregory II’s death in 731, Gregory III was elected to Peter’s Chair, and sent Boniface the pallium: our saint was now ‘Metropolitan of Germany beyond the Rhine’. As monasteries were founded or extended, Boniface continued to call English monks to take up the abbacies.

Synodical prelate

Charles Martel died in 741, and was succeeded by his sons Pepin and Carloman, under whom Boniface convened several synods, presiding over each and managing to carry through all the reforms that were closest to his heart. The Church in Germany took on a new lease of life.

His end came tragically. While waiting for the arrival of Whitsuntide confirmands at Dokkum, on the River Borne, Boniface’s camp was attacked by a band of marauders. The saint’s companions wanted to protect him, but he would not allow them. He and Eoban were among those who were killed. His body was taken to his beloved monastery of Fulda, where it remains today. Every time we sing the hymn, ‘We have a gospel to proclaim’, to the tune called ‘Fulda’, we can reflect on the bravery of Boniface, who left country and kin for Christ.

Suggested hymns

Fill thou my life, O Lord my God; Lord of all hopefulness; We have a gospel to proclaim, Ye choirs of new Jerusalem.