09 June 2011

Boniface of Mainz (June 5)

Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."  Matthew 28:19








 

Boniface was born in the late seventh century in England. Though he was educated, became a monk,
and was ordained as a presbyter in England, he was inspired by the example of others to become a
missionary. Upon receiving a papal commission in 719 to work in Germany, Boniface devoted himself to
planting, organizing, and reforming churches and monasteries in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. After
becoming an archbishop, Boniface was assigned to the See of Mainz in 743.Ten years later he resigned
his position to engage in mission work in the Netherlands. On June 5, 754, while awaiting a group of
converts for confirmation, Boniface and his companions were murdered by a band of pagans. Boniface is
known as the apostle and missionary to the Germans.
[excerpt from lcms.org Commemoration Biographies]

Boniface is often called "The Apostle to Germany."  Like St. Patrick baptizing thousands, and establishing churches throughout Ireland, Boniface converted many from paganism in Western Germany. A more thorough biography can be found here

Sometimes Boniface is credited with inventing the Christmas tree, but this is probably legend.  His earliest biography does record a fascinated event where Boniface cuts down a sacred Oak (a symbol of a pagan god).  Before he can finish, a wind finishes the job for him, and the wood is used to build a church. 

Activities
Go out and find some oak trees  and talk about how God's majesty, creativity, and justice can be found in his creation, but His love and mercy is only found through the cross.  Make oak leaf prints.

Go bowling (or play lawn bowling! ).  Boniface "Christianized" the pagan game of Kegels und Heides (a precursor to bowling).  Stones or large sticks were thrown/rolled at smaller sticks, attempting to knock them over.  Boniface replaced the previous pagan overtones with the playful suggestion that die Kegels were the Gospel bowling over demons!

1 comment:

  1. "Go out and find some oak trees and talk about how God's majesty, creativity, and justice can be found in his creation, but His love and mercy is only found through the cross. "

    This is great!!!
    Thank you for your ideas! There are six kiddos that will benefit from them!

    ReplyDelete