T—heirdate subterranean chapel, under the great dome is on the Kalends of
December
the day
of SS.
of SS.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
They set out for Thuringia, then a country where paganism was rampant, and also where war and its attendant ravages prevailed.
Notwith- standing, the master and his youthful charge feared not these dangers.
They were ready to endure every hardship, in order to serve the cause of religion.
While Boniface continued to train the young novice in his allotted studies, they were obliged to work with their own hands, according to the exact and severe discipline of their rule of life.
Frequently were they in danger of losing their lives, for a continual warfare was waged between the Christian and pagan people.
Sometimes they were obliged to flee before the riots ex- cited, yet they always had fortitude to persevere in watching over the flock entrusted to their charge.
During all these persecutions, however, Gregory growing in years, in strength, and in grace, was the faithful companion, during the missionary rounds of his great teacher, as also a great source of consola- tion to him, under their multiplied trials.
ful
Gregory,
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxv. ,
p. 183.
63 Latinized Palatiolum. See Rev. John
in excited sedition, he was there put to
death. See L. —P. " Histoire Anquetil's
de France," Premiere Race dite des Mero-
Alzog's
vingiens,
v. , p. 54.
" Manual of Universal Church His-
sect,
''Heisveneratedasasaint, andhisfesti-
val occurs, at the 25th ofAugust. St. Ludger, the Bishop, has written his Life, from which thepresentaccountis abbreviated.
68 See l'Abbe " Histoire Ecclesi- Fleury's
astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvi. , pp.
183, 184.
&"
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
tory," vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch i. , Part i. ,
chap. i. , sect. 159, p. 84.
64 After the death of her husband. *sLatinizedHorreum.
66 He was son to
banished to the Scots in Ireland, but after- wards, he returned to rule over a part of Austrasia. However, some of the chiefs hav-
Sigibert,
and he was
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
Meantime, after some resistance, Charles Martel had delivered Hesse and Thuringia from the oppression of the Saxons. 6^ The people of Hesse—or the Chatti7° as otherwise called—were addicted to heathenish
rites, and the zeal of Winfrid was exercised, in preaching the Gospel of Christ to them, a. d. 723. He soon converted many thousands of that people, from
He even
baptized 2 Hisnextcare was to select a trusty messenger, named Binna, to carry letters for the Pon- tiff, who ruled in the Apostolic See at Rome. 73 In these were set forth what important events had transpired, and how he had carried the Gospel into the province of the Hessians, where he had converted great numbers from their superstitions and idolatry. It is said, that he was urged by King Charles Martel, with the Christian Princes and people in France, that he should again go to Rome, and become the bearer of their petition to the Holy Father, that he might be consecrated an Archbishop. TM Already, St. Winfrid had submitted for consideration to the Pope certain queries, pertaining to the present necessities of his mission, and to the spiritual welfare of his people. Some time elapsed, before his messenger could return from the Eternal City, to bear with him the instructionsofthePope. Fromthesehelearned,thathispresenceshould be very desirable in Rome 7S and, in obedience to this mandate, with a num-
;
ber of companions, he traversed the hilly countries of France and Burgundy
over the Alps, until he came to that city, in which was the Church of St. Peter. There he entered, to thank the Almighty for his safe journey. When news of this arrival reached Pope Gregory II. , the Pontiff hospitably received Winfrid in the hospital for poor travellers. On a certain day, which wasfoundconvenientforboth,theywenttothebasilicaofSt. Peter. There,the Sovereign Pontiff made enquiries about the Symbol and Tradition of eccle- siastical Faith. Then, said Winfrid, "Apostolic Lord, I know that as a pil- grim, I am unskilled in the language, with which you are so familiar ; but, I ask time and rest, to write out my confession of Faith, and the words shall
reasonablyopenmysentimentsonthosematters. " Thispermissionheobtained, and he was directed to proceed, soon as he possibly could, with the under- taking. When some time had elapsed, Winfrid produced in a finished style his confession of Faith in the Most Holy Trinity. He then presented it to the Father of the Faithful. He awaited the result, for some days, when he wasagaininvitedtotheLateranhouseofthePope. Therehavingarrived, and prostrating himself at the feet of his Holiness, he was raised from the earth by the latter, who gave to Winfrid the manuscript, in which such a com- pleteandclearexpositionoftheFaithhadbeensetforth. ThePopecaused him to sit down, and further instructed Winfrid, that he should preserve this doctrine inviolate, while he should without intermission teach it to others the bestwaywithinhispower. Theyspenttogetherthegreaterpartofthatday conversing on doctrinal topics ; and, towards its close, Winfred was directed, as to how he should proceed, in preaching to the ignorant people beyond the Alps,76 and with whom he should have to deal, during his future labours. Having learned, that a great multitude had been brought from demonaical influences and sorceries to a profession of the true faith, the Pope intimated
their to a idols,
of the true and God. ? 1 living
knowledge numbersoftheHessians,whoborderedontheSaxon
territory. 7
Saints," tome vi. , ve Jour de Juin,
7
73 See Rev. S. "Lives of Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vi. . June 5, p. 44.
74 See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect.
460. °SeeMabillon's"AnnalesOrdinisS. Bene-
dicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect. lv. , p. 67.
71 See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia 3, p. 482.
Sancta," part i. , p. 341.
72 See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lv. , P-68.
"
7S SeeMabillon's Annates OrdinisS. Bene-
dicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect. Ivi. , p. 68. ? 6 See "Vita III. S. Bonefacii," sect. 3
p. 482.
p.
156 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. June 5.
to Winfrid, that he should be advanced to the episcopal grade,? ? so that those people, deprived of a shepherd, should have one to guide them to the Lord's pastures. Winfrid could not resist this call, imposed on him, through rever- ence and obedience towards the Sovereign Pontiff. Wherefore, the day before the Kalends of December was set apart for his consecration. This was on the Feast of St. Andrew,? 8 and, at the same time, the Pope imposed on him that name Boniface, by which he afterwards became so distinguished. ? °
The for this elevation is a. d. 80 when he received the mitre. year assigned 723,
At the same time, the Pope encouraged him to attempt the Christian conquest of that great German nation, then so immersed in idolatries, and torememberthe example of David going forth bravely to contend with the Philistine giant Go- liath. Even,ifnecessary,heshouldbravepersecutionandmartyrdom. Then, the Pope bestovvingthe kiss of peace and his benediction, they parted, and Boni-
81
Filled as he was with reverence for St. Peter and his successors, this devoted pilgrim promised from the very beginning to conform faithfully to all the decrees of the See of Rome. He
even bound himself oath,82 in the by
face was ready to resume his missionary toils.
presence
placed the document on which it was written before the sacred remains of St.
Peter. 8-* This solemn promise he most rigorously performed. 85 Having undertaken the conversion of Thuringia, Hesse,86 and other like heathen
countries, St. Bonifaceapplied. to the Pope for his commission, and he was con- secrated a Bishop, exempt from the jurisdiction of other Bishops, but without any determinate See. 8 ? He became, ever afterwards, a zealous upholder of the Apostolic Chair. 83 To him was also given a small book, in which were written Pontifical constitutions and laws 8q while, on these were to be per-
;
manently founded the institutes and discipline of his new mission. With
them agreed, likewise, those charters of the glorious King Charles, who was so anxious to assist the holy man in his noble enterprise. 90 With very affec-
tionatecommendatory letters,^ the holy man undertook a longjourney to Charles
482.
8? The Bollandists explain, that he was
who received him most
the clergy and people of Germany, St. Boniface was sent with high en-
Martel,
Maire of the
palace,
graciously ;
" Histoire Ecclesi- astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvii. ,
p. 185.
? 8 The 30th of November.
" Othlo adds, that before this time, he had
been called Winfrid. 80 See Michaud, "
" See l'Abbe
Fleury's
p.
Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," &c, tome v. , Art.
tome i. , liv. ii. ,
** The substance of these may be found, in
Mabillon's "Annales Oidinis S. Benedicti," tonuis ii,, lib. xx. , sect, lvi. , pp. 68, 69.
9° See among the Epistles of St. Boniface, Epist. xxxii. , in the edition of Serarius, and col. 1446, in Labbe's "Concilia. " Baronius refers it to —A. D. 724. —
of St. Boniface.
Biographie
chap,
ii. ,
pp. 294
to
296.
Boniface (saint), p. 5.
81
See the Second Life of St. Boniface, cap. i. , sect. 10.
TM This dates, from the seventh year of the
Emperor Leon, and in the sixth Indiction,
correspondingwith A. n. 723.
83 The text of this is given, in Othlo's Life
number are inserted iu 84 This shows, that he was consecrated in Baronius, tomus ix. , sect. vi. to xv. , pp.
the old Vatican Church, where the remains
" Novorum Conciliorum," with the notes present,theyarepreservedinamagnificent ofSirmond,BiniusandLabbe.
T—heirdate subterranean chapel, under the great dome is on the Kalends of December the day
of SS. Peter and Paul and where, at repose,
vi. ,
immediately following his consecration.
»" See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect,
4, p. 482.
*3 Who ruled over the Germans, east of
the Rhine river, where his kingdom ex- tended.
of St. Peter's.
*s See Leopold Range's " Ecclesiastical
and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
86
See "Vita III. S. Bonefacii," sect. 3,
of 33 and he Pope Gregory,
constituted a Bishop Apostolic, and in this
sense, he is styled an Archbishop, in Letters
Apostolic. See n. (c),p. 483, ibid.
88 " See Michelet's
Histoire de France,"
9I These
the "Annales Ecclesiastics," of Cardinal
six in
27 to 30, at A. D. 723; as also, in the tomus
QJ to while,
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
comiums of the Pope, to resume his missionary work. One of these letters is addressed to Charles Martel ;°3 another to all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Dukes, Counts, and to all Christians f> a third is addressed to the clergy and people, over whom Boniface was to be placed p5 a fourth is written to
theChristian
of 6 afifthisaddressedtoallthe Thuringia ;9
pagan peo-
people Thuringia ;°?
the sixth was directed to all the ancient Saxon 08 people.
of
We may well suppose, that the saint drafted those letters himself, as best knowing the habits of the people to whom he had been sent, and as best judg- ing the effects they might be calculated to produced
Fame had now spread abroad the great missionary successes of Boni- face; but, while his admirers were very numerous, he had enemies in the fold, who were willing to criticise and to traduce his actions. 100 Rather prejudiced against him, from what had been reported, Charles Martel yet desired to see the Apostolic man. Soon the king became con- vinced, regarding the purity of his motives and virtues ; while, he was firmly persuaded, that the efforts of Boniface and of his disciples were only exercised in the interests of true civilization, and to procure the reign of grace in the hearts of men. On his return from Rome, Boniface laboured to perfect that work, which had been begun in Hesse, having first obtained the sanction and protection of Charles Martel. To this period may be referred, that admirable letter of Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, to our saint, in which suggestions are offered to combat the errors of the pagans indirectly, and with- out violently wounding their susceptibilities. Referring to their gods and goddesses, he recommends the holy missionary to accept their own state- ments, regarding the birth and descent of those false divinities, so as to show, how they could not as generated beings create a world, which admittedly existed before their time, and those laws of nature, which they were manifestly powerless to control. By using these and like arguments, it was to be hoped, they might be ashamed of their absurd notions. Another objection could be urged, that if the pagan deities had any power or influence in governing not alone the earth and visible skies about it, but all space, how came it to pass,
that they were not able to gain special advantages for their followers, and to punishtheChristianswhodespisedthem. Yet,byinstitutingacomparison in matters temporal, the Christian portion of the world was grand and civi- lized, while the Gentile portion of the human race was driven to cold and in-
hospitable regions. Many similar trains of reflection, ably conceived and clearly expressed, with many valuable hints adroitly introduced, give us a very exalted idea of the wisdom and learning of Bishop Daniel. Other letters
94 They are exhorted in it, to receive baptized, to build houses and churches for
ple
favourably St. Boniface and his com- panions ; to give food and all necessary sue- cour to them; while anathema is pronounced against all, who should oppose his minis- try.
95 In it are laid down rules to be observed in his functions, which word for word agree with those addressed to "the people of Bava- ria in 716.
90
Particularly is it addressed to their five princes, who arethere named. The Pope con- gratulates them, that they had resisted the pagans, who desired to draw them into idolatry ; he also exhorts them to persever- ance, to attach themselves to the Holy See, and to obey Boniface.
97 Thesehe
tions of Boniface, to become converts, to be
themselves and for their missionaries,
9S As distinguished on the Continent, fromthosewhowereinGreatBritain. The Pope exhorts them to abandon idolatry, and
to receive Boniface as their apostle.
exhorts,
Taciti Opera,
Situ, Moribus,
Populis
to
receive the instruc-
"De
Germanise," cap. x. , pp. 418, 419.
et
" Histoire Eccle- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvii. ,
pp. 186, 187.
I0° See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lxii. ,
pp. 196 to 198.
io2 These practices seem to have been in-
herited from their ancestors. See Carson's
" See l'Abbe
Fleury's
p. 71.
I0t See l'Abbe
" Histoire Eccle- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xlv. , xlvi. ,
Fleury's
158 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5. of a very interesting character were received, also, from the friends of Boniface
101
in England.
TheApostleofGermanyfoundverymany,thatstill remainedobstinate
in their infidelity, addicted to the worship of woods and fountains 102 as
; also,
numbers that had cast off the Faith, to which they had been so lately con- verted. Others defiled it, with a mixture of their old heathenish sacrifices
and superstitions, following auguries and divinations, while they had various rites of an impious character, derived from the practices of their forefathers. He also brought over such as already believed, but who led lives not very agreeble to the Gospel precepts ; while he took care, by the imposition of
toconfirm hands, many
witht—heseven-fold
10^ Ther—e
ofthe wasatreeofenormousgrowth calledbythepeopletheTreeofJupiter
ata called place
Fritzlar,
103 See l'Abbe
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xliv. , pp. 195, 196.
Forest. " This was executed the
Fleury's
painting artist at the age of nineteen.
by
Thunder Oak of Geismar. See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church His-
lies. —
Chapter hi. — territory
—
of
tory," vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch chap, i. , sect. 159, p. 85.
i. ,
Part
i. ,
more extensive
formerly Landgraviate
" Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June 5, p. 45.
,05 See Rev. S.
Baring-Gould's
north, west, Franconia on the south. The chief city was
chased, for the sum of one thousand thalers,
296. 297.
3 St. Gregory of Tours states, that Chris-
tian laws had been framed for Thuringia. See
"
the Sacred Oak of Thor in the Thuringian
Alfred Rethel's picture of
Bonilace Felling
gifts
I0snear 100orGeismar. Tothis of Gicesmere, giant
the forest, the people paid a superstitious worship. This tree the saint undertook to fell with the axe, while those who worshipped the true God were
presenttoencourageandaidhisefforts. Thereupon,amultitudeofthepagans
assembled together, and determined to oppose his enterprise ; for, they deemed it nothing less than a sacrilege, to destroy that tree. They even in- tended to kill him, as an enemy of their gods. 107 By Divine power, how- ever, that tree, which he had intended to cut down, was suddenly agitated by the winds and split into four equal parts, to the great astonishment of the
pagans
and the Christians who were
present.
108 their Wherefore, renouncing
false gods, the unbelievers embraced the Faith of Christ. Then, with the
advice of his monks, their zealous superior constructed from the fallen wood
an 100 which he dedicated to St. Peter the
oratory, Apostle.
CHAPTER III.
ST. BONIFACE COMMENCES HIS MISSION IN THURINGIA—STATE OF THAT PROVINCE— HIS SUCCESS—FOUNDATION OF ORDORF—HIS LETTERS—POPE GREGORY III. WRITES TO APPROVE HIS LABOURS, AND CREATES HIM ARCHBISHOP—BONIFACE ERECTS SEVERAL SEES AND RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS—HE RESOLVES ON VISITING ROME, WHERE HE IS FAVO—URABLY RECEIVED BY THE POPE—HIS MISSION IN BOHEMIA AND BAVARIA WARS OF CHARLES MARTEL—POPE ZACHARY ENCOURAGES BONIFACE TO CONVENE A SYNOD—DECREES PASSED IN THE GERMAN AND FRENCH COUNCILS.
into 1 which had been subdued Thuringia,
From St. Boniface Hesse,
passed
by Theodoric,2 son to Clovis I. However, the authority of the French kings
" Histoire Eccle-
I09 It
104 By some writers, it is called the Tree and fine church ; but, since the Reformation,
of Thor the Thunderer ; by others, the it has passed out of the possession of Catho-
by
Othlo. We Erfurth. a
106 It is written Gesmere,
are told by Serarius, that Geismaria is a SeeAndreadu Chesne's "Historic Fran-
village in Lower Hesse.
107 See Bishop Challenor's Britannia Origine," etc. , tomus i. Gregorii Episcopi
Sancta," part i. , p. 341. Turonensis Historian Francorum, lib. iii. , 108 In 1870, the Museum of Cologne, pur- cap. iv. , pp. 294, 295, and cap. \ ii. , pp.
"
corum Scriptores Corctanei ab ipsius Gentis
grew,
in course of
time,
to be a
large
Holy Spirit.
This
is now a
Saxony, having Misnia on the east, Bruns- wick on the Hesse on the and
Ia
*
June 5. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 159
began to decline there,3 especially when subordinate chiefs created broils, dissensions, and disorders, which induced the Saxons to invade' the country, and to establish a domination over its people. There, Theobald and Heden had exercised tyrannical rule, and had brought that state to the verge of ruin. Upon the death of some of their Princes, Christianity, that had been so lately established, by St. Kilian,* met with a great shock, from inroads of their new masters, the Saxons. Religion had almost perished there, and it required new efforts to raise it from ruin. ' Certain abandoned men, named Torchtwine, Berchthere, Fanbercht and Hunred,6 who are called fornicators and adulterers, had introduced heretical errors under the guise of religion, and these depravities had seduced many people. But, the saint, by his labours and preaching, brought many back again to the way of truth. From the communion of the Church, he expelled those false Christians, whose seduction and wickness for a time had much obstructed his pious endeavours. Then, piety began to revive, and the harvest became ripe for the reapers. Soon
their number began to increase, while preachers from France and Ireland, as also from England,7 were found. Monasteries were established, also, to receive
congregations of monks.
In the meantime, the fame of his labours spread all over Europe,
and especially in Britain, while the character of Boniface had been well
established, so that many desired to aid him. Thence he received divers
excellent men, eminent for their abilities and learning, as for their zeal and
holiness. The similarity of language eminently qualified the Anglo-Saxon
missionaries to labour among the Teutonic races. 8 Those preachers intended
to subject themselves to his rule, so that they might eradicate errors *of
paganismfromamongtheGermans. Therewerelectorsandscribesinthiscom-
munity of missioners. y Among them are specially mentioned Denevaldus, Bur-
chard, Wigbert, Gregory, Sturim, Lul, Memgoz, Willibald, and his brother
10
Winibald.
advanced the kingdom of Christ, especially among the hamlets and villages
there were to serve many holy virgins
of Hesse and 11 Thuringia.
Jointly with him, and under his direction, these^gloriously
Besides,
the cause of charity and education, among those of their own sex. 12 Among
them are distinguished Chunihilda, and her daughter Berathgit, Chunidrut, Tecla, Lioba, and Waltpurgis, who was sister to Willibald and Winibald. Especially Chunihilde and her daughter Berathgide, well instructed in the liberal sciences, were appointed as religious superioresses in Thuringia; Chunitrude was sent to Bavaria, as her sphere of action ; Tecla was stationed in Franconia; while Lioba, a relation of St. Boniface, presided over a communityofnunsatBischofesheim. Allofthesedidnotjointhegreat Apostle ot Germany, at one and the same time, or place ; but, as the occasion required, they were ready to second his various enterprises. ^
ibid. , "HistoiiseFrancorum/'lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , p. 310.
* His feast is held, on the 8th of July.
5 See Jules Zeller's " Histoire d'Alle-
magne,"tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii. , sect, iii. ,
Christianity," vol. ii. , book iv. , chap, v. , p. 58.
9 See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lxiii. ,
p. 72.
I0
See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect. 4.
" See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , pp. 93. 94.
"See Jules Zeller's "Histoire d'Alle-
magne," tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii.
ful
Gregory,
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxv. ,
p. 183.
63 Latinized Palatiolum. See Rev. John
in excited sedition, he was there put to
death. See L. —P. " Histoire Anquetil's
de France," Premiere Race dite des Mero-
Alzog's
vingiens,
v. , p. 54.
" Manual of Universal Church His-
sect,
''Heisveneratedasasaint, andhisfesti-
val occurs, at the 25th ofAugust. St. Ludger, the Bishop, has written his Life, from which thepresentaccountis abbreviated.
68 See l'Abbe " Histoire Ecclesi- Fleury's
astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvi. , pp.
183, 184.
&"
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
tory," vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch i. , Part i. ,
chap. i. , sect. 159, p. 84.
64 After the death of her husband. *sLatinizedHorreum.
66 He was son to
banished to the Scots in Ireland, but after- wards, he returned to rule over a part of Austrasia. However, some of the chiefs hav-
Sigibert,
and he was
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
Meantime, after some resistance, Charles Martel had delivered Hesse and Thuringia from the oppression of the Saxons. 6^ The people of Hesse—or the Chatti7° as otherwise called—were addicted to heathenish
rites, and the zeal of Winfrid was exercised, in preaching the Gospel of Christ to them, a. d. 723. He soon converted many thousands of that people, from
He even
baptized 2 Hisnextcare was to select a trusty messenger, named Binna, to carry letters for the Pon- tiff, who ruled in the Apostolic See at Rome. 73 In these were set forth what important events had transpired, and how he had carried the Gospel into the province of the Hessians, where he had converted great numbers from their superstitions and idolatry. It is said, that he was urged by King Charles Martel, with the Christian Princes and people in France, that he should again go to Rome, and become the bearer of their petition to the Holy Father, that he might be consecrated an Archbishop. TM Already, St. Winfrid had submitted for consideration to the Pope certain queries, pertaining to the present necessities of his mission, and to the spiritual welfare of his people. Some time elapsed, before his messenger could return from the Eternal City, to bear with him the instructionsofthePope. Fromthesehelearned,thathispresenceshould be very desirable in Rome 7S and, in obedience to this mandate, with a num-
;
ber of companions, he traversed the hilly countries of France and Burgundy
over the Alps, until he came to that city, in which was the Church of St. Peter. There he entered, to thank the Almighty for his safe journey. When news of this arrival reached Pope Gregory II. , the Pontiff hospitably received Winfrid in the hospital for poor travellers. On a certain day, which wasfoundconvenientforboth,theywenttothebasilicaofSt. Peter. There,the Sovereign Pontiff made enquiries about the Symbol and Tradition of eccle- siastical Faith. Then, said Winfrid, "Apostolic Lord, I know that as a pil- grim, I am unskilled in the language, with which you are so familiar ; but, I ask time and rest, to write out my confession of Faith, and the words shall
reasonablyopenmysentimentsonthosematters. " Thispermissionheobtained, and he was directed to proceed, soon as he possibly could, with the under- taking. When some time had elapsed, Winfrid produced in a finished style his confession of Faith in the Most Holy Trinity. He then presented it to the Father of the Faithful. He awaited the result, for some days, when he wasagaininvitedtotheLateranhouseofthePope. Therehavingarrived, and prostrating himself at the feet of his Holiness, he was raised from the earth by the latter, who gave to Winfrid the manuscript, in which such a com- pleteandclearexpositionoftheFaithhadbeensetforth. ThePopecaused him to sit down, and further instructed Winfrid, that he should preserve this doctrine inviolate, while he should without intermission teach it to others the bestwaywithinhispower. Theyspenttogetherthegreaterpartofthatday conversing on doctrinal topics ; and, towards its close, Winfred was directed, as to how he should proceed, in preaching to the ignorant people beyond the Alps,76 and with whom he should have to deal, during his future labours. Having learned, that a great multitude had been brought from demonaical influences and sorceries to a profession of the true faith, the Pope intimated
their to a idols,
of the true and God. ? 1 living
knowledge numbersoftheHessians,whoborderedontheSaxon
territory. 7
Saints," tome vi. , ve Jour de Juin,
7
73 See Rev. S. "Lives of Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vi. . June 5, p. 44.
74 See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect.
460. °SeeMabillon's"AnnalesOrdinisS. Bene-
dicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect. lv. , p. 67.
71 See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia 3, p. 482.
Sancta," part i. , p. 341.
72 See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lv. , P-68.
"
7S SeeMabillon's Annates OrdinisS. Bene-
dicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect. Ivi. , p. 68. ? 6 See "Vita III. S. Bonefacii," sect. 3
p. 482.
p.
156 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. June 5.
to Winfrid, that he should be advanced to the episcopal grade,? ? so that those people, deprived of a shepherd, should have one to guide them to the Lord's pastures. Winfrid could not resist this call, imposed on him, through rever- ence and obedience towards the Sovereign Pontiff. Wherefore, the day before the Kalends of December was set apart for his consecration. This was on the Feast of St. Andrew,? 8 and, at the same time, the Pope imposed on him that name Boniface, by which he afterwards became so distinguished. ? °
The for this elevation is a. d. 80 when he received the mitre. year assigned 723,
At the same time, the Pope encouraged him to attempt the Christian conquest of that great German nation, then so immersed in idolatries, and torememberthe example of David going forth bravely to contend with the Philistine giant Go- liath. Even,ifnecessary,heshouldbravepersecutionandmartyrdom. Then, the Pope bestovvingthe kiss of peace and his benediction, they parted, and Boni-
81
Filled as he was with reverence for St. Peter and his successors, this devoted pilgrim promised from the very beginning to conform faithfully to all the decrees of the See of Rome. He
even bound himself oath,82 in the by
face was ready to resume his missionary toils.
presence
placed the document on which it was written before the sacred remains of St.
Peter. 8-* This solemn promise he most rigorously performed. 85 Having undertaken the conversion of Thuringia, Hesse,86 and other like heathen
countries, St. Bonifaceapplied. to the Pope for his commission, and he was con- secrated a Bishop, exempt from the jurisdiction of other Bishops, but without any determinate See. 8 ? He became, ever afterwards, a zealous upholder of the Apostolic Chair. 83 To him was also given a small book, in which were written Pontifical constitutions and laws 8q while, on these were to be per-
;
manently founded the institutes and discipline of his new mission. With
them agreed, likewise, those charters of the glorious King Charles, who was so anxious to assist the holy man in his noble enterprise. 90 With very affec-
tionatecommendatory letters,^ the holy man undertook a longjourney to Charles
482.
8? The Bollandists explain, that he was
who received him most
the clergy and people of Germany, St. Boniface was sent with high en-
Martel,
Maire of the
palace,
graciously ;
" Histoire Ecclesi- astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvii. ,
p. 185.
? 8 The 30th of November.
" Othlo adds, that before this time, he had
been called Winfrid. 80 See Michaud, "
" See l'Abbe
Fleury's
p.
Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," &c, tome v. , Art.
tome i. , liv. ii. ,
** The substance of these may be found, in
Mabillon's "Annales Oidinis S. Benedicti," tonuis ii,, lib. xx. , sect, lvi. , pp. 68, 69.
9° See among the Epistles of St. Boniface, Epist. xxxii. , in the edition of Serarius, and col. 1446, in Labbe's "Concilia. " Baronius refers it to —A. D. 724. —
of St. Boniface.
Biographie
chap,
ii. ,
pp. 294
to
296.
Boniface (saint), p. 5.
81
See the Second Life of St. Boniface, cap. i. , sect. 10.
TM This dates, from the seventh year of the
Emperor Leon, and in the sixth Indiction,
correspondingwith A. n. 723.
83 The text of this is given, in Othlo's Life
number are inserted iu 84 This shows, that he was consecrated in Baronius, tomus ix. , sect. vi. to xv. , pp.
the old Vatican Church, where the remains
" Novorum Conciliorum," with the notes present,theyarepreservedinamagnificent ofSirmond,BiniusandLabbe.
T—heirdate subterranean chapel, under the great dome is on the Kalends of December the day
of SS. Peter and Paul and where, at repose,
vi. ,
immediately following his consecration.
»" See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect,
4, p. 482.
*3 Who ruled over the Germans, east of
the Rhine river, where his kingdom ex- tended.
of St. Peter's.
*s See Leopold Range's " Ecclesiastical
and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
86
See "Vita III. S. Bonefacii," sect. 3,
of 33 and he Pope Gregory,
constituted a Bishop Apostolic, and in this
sense, he is styled an Archbishop, in Letters
Apostolic. See n. (c),p. 483, ibid.
88 " See Michelet's
Histoire de France,"
9I These
the "Annales Ecclesiastics," of Cardinal
six in
27 to 30, at A. D. 723; as also, in the tomus
QJ to while,
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
comiums of the Pope, to resume his missionary work. One of these letters is addressed to Charles Martel ;°3 another to all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Dukes, Counts, and to all Christians f> a third is addressed to the clergy and people, over whom Boniface was to be placed p5 a fourth is written to
theChristian
of 6 afifthisaddressedtoallthe Thuringia ;9
pagan peo-
people Thuringia ;°?
the sixth was directed to all the ancient Saxon 08 people.
of
We may well suppose, that the saint drafted those letters himself, as best knowing the habits of the people to whom he had been sent, and as best judg- ing the effects they might be calculated to produced
Fame had now spread abroad the great missionary successes of Boni- face; but, while his admirers were very numerous, he had enemies in the fold, who were willing to criticise and to traduce his actions. 100 Rather prejudiced against him, from what had been reported, Charles Martel yet desired to see the Apostolic man. Soon the king became con- vinced, regarding the purity of his motives and virtues ; while, he was firmly persuaded, that the efforts of Boniface and of his disciples were only exercised in the interests of true civilization, and to procure the reign of grace in the hearts of men. On his return from Rome, Boniface laboured to perfect that work, which had been begun in Hesse, having first obtained the sanction and protection of Charles Martel. To this period may be referred, that admirable letter of Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, to our saint, in which suggestions are offered to combat the errors of the pagans indirectly, and with- out violently wounding their susceptibilities. Referring to their gods and goddesses, he recommends the holy missionary to accept their own state- ments, regarding the birth and descent of those false divinities, so as to show, how they could not as generated beings create a world, which admittedly existed before their time, and those laws of nature, which they were manifestly powerless to control. By using these and like arguments, it was to be hoped, they might be ashamed of their absurd notions. Another objection could be urged, that if the pagan deities had any power or influence in governing not alone the earth and visible skies about it, but all space, how came it to pass,
that they were not able to gain special advantages for their followers, and to punishtheChristianswhodespisedthem. Yet,byinstitutingacomparison in matters temporal, the Christian portion of the world was grand and civi- lized, while the Gentile portion of the human race was driven to cold and in-
hospitable regions. Many similar trains of reflection, ably conceived and clearly expressed, with many valuable hints adroitly introduced, give us a very exalted idea of the wisdom and learning of Bishop Daniel. Other letters
94 They are exhorted in it, to receive baptized, to build houses and churches for
ple
favourably St. Boniface and his com- panions ; to give food and all necessary sue- cour to them; while anathema is pronounced against all, who should oppose his minis- try.
95 In it are laid down rules to be observed in his functions, which word for word agree with those addressed to "the people of Bava- ria in 716.
90
Particularly is it addressed to their five princes, who arethere named. The Pope con- gratulates them, that they had resisted the pagans, who desired to draw them into idolatry ; he also exhorts them to persever- ance, to attach themselves to the Holy See, and to obey Boniface.
97 Thesehe
tions of Boniface, to become converts, to be
themselves and for their missionaries,
9S As distinguished on the Continent, fromthosewhowereinGreatBritain. The Pope exhorts them to abandon idolatry, and
to receive Boniface as their apostle.
exhorts,
Taciti Opera,
Situ, Moribus,
Populis
to
receive the instruc-
"De
Germanise," cap. x. , pp. 418, 419.
et
" Histoire Eccle- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxvii. ,
pp. 186, 187.
I0° See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lxii. ,
pp. 196 to 198.
io2 These practices seem to have been in-
herited from their ancestors. See Carson's
" See l'Abbe
Fleury's
p. 71.
I0t See l'Abbe
" Histoire Eccle- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xlv. , xlvi. ,
Fleury's
158 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5. of a very interesting character were received, also, from the friends of Boniface
101
in England.
TheApostleofGermanyfoundverymany,thatstill remainedobstinate
in their infidelity, addicted to the worship of woods and fountains 102 as
; also,
numbers that had cast off the Faith, to which they had been so lately con- verted. Others defiled it, with a mixture of their old heathenish sacrifices
and superstitions, following auguries and divinations, while they had various rites of an impious character, derived from the practices of their forefathers. He also brought over such as already believed, but who led lives not very agreeble to the Gospel precepts ; while he took care, by the imposition of
toconfirm hands, many
witht—heseven-fold
10^ Ther—e
ofthe wasatreeofenormousgrowth calledbythepeopletheTreeofJupiter
ata called place
Fritzlar,
103 See l'Abbe
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xliv. , pp. 195, 196.
Forest. " This was executed the
Fleury's
painting artist at the age of nineteen.
by
Thunder Oak of Geismar. See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church His-
lies. —
Chapter hi. — territory
—
of
tory," vol. ii. , Period 2, Epoch chap, i. , sect. 159, p. 85.
i. ,
Part
i. ,
more extensive
formerly Landgraviate
" Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. , June 5, p. 45.
,05 See Rev. S.
Baring-Gould's
north, west, Franconia on the south. The chief city was
chased, for the sum of one thousand thalers,
296. 297.
3 St. Gregory of Tours states, that Chris-
tian laws had been framed for Thuringia. See
"
the Sacred Oak of Thor in the Thuringian
Alfred Rethel's picture of
Bonilace Felling
gifts
I0snear 100orGeismar. Tothis of Gicesmere, giant
the forest, the people paid a superstitious worship. This tree the saint undertook to fell with the axe, while those who worshipped the true God were
presenttoencourageandaidhisefforts. Thereupon,amultitudeofthepagans
assembled together, and determined to oppose his enterprise ; for, they deemed it nothing less than a sacrilege, to destroy that tree. They even in- tended to kill him, as an enemy of their gods. 107 By Divine power, how- ever, that tree, which he had intended to cut down, was suddenly agitated by the winds and split into four equal parts, to the great astonishment of the
pagans
and the Christians who were
present.
108 their Wherefore, renouncing
false gods, the unbelievers embraced the Faith of Christ. Then, with the
advice of his monks, their zealous superior constructed from the fallen wood
an 100 which he dedicated to St. Peter the
oratory, Apostle.
CHAPTER III.
ST. BONIFACE COMMENCES HIS MISSION IN THURINGIA—STATE OF THAT PROVINCE— HIS SUCCESS—FOUNDATION OF ORDORF—HIS LETTERS—POPE GREGORY III. WRITES TO APPROVE HIS LABOURS, AND CREATES HIM ARCHBISHOP—BONIFACE ERECTS SEVERAL SEES AND RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS—HE RESOLVES ON VISITING ROME, WHERE HE IS FAVO—URABLY RECEIVED BY THE POPE—HIS MISSION IN BOHEMIA AND BAVARIA WARS OF CHARLES MARTEL—POPE ZACHARY ENCOURAGES BONIFACE TO CONVENE A SYNOD—DECREES PASSED IN THE GERMAN AND FRENCH COUNCILS.
into 1 which had been subdued Thuringia,
From St. Boniface Hesse,
passed
by Theodoric,2 son to Clovis I. However, the authority of the French kings
" Histoire Eccle-
I09 It
104 By some writers, it is called the Tree and fine church ; but, since the Reformation,
of Thor the Thunderer ; by others, the it has passed out of the possession of Catho-
by
Othlo. We Erfurth. a
106 It is written Gesmere,
are told by Serarius, that Geismaria is a SeeAndreadu Chesne's "Historic Fran-
village in Lower Hesse.
107 See Bishop Challenor's Britannia Origine," etc. , tomus i. Gregorii Episcopi
Sancta," part i. , p. 341. Turonensis Historian Francorum, lib. iii. , 108 In 1870, the Museum of Cologne, pur- cap. iv. , pp. 294, 295, and cap. \ ii. , pp.
"
corum Scriptores Corctanei ab ipsius Gentis
grew,
in course of
time,
to be a
large
Holy Spirit.
This
is now a
Saxony, having Misnia on the east, Bruns- wick on the Hesse on the and
Ia
*
June 5. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 159
began to decline there,3 especially when subordinate chiefs created broils, dissensions, and disorders, which induced the Saxons to invade' the country, and to establish a domination over its people. There, Theobald and Heden had exercised tyrannical rule, and had brought that state to the verge of ruin. Upon the death of some of their Princes, Christianity, that had been so lately established, by St. Kilian,* met with a great shock, from inroads of their new masters, the Saxons. Religion had almost perished there, and it required new efforts to raise it from ruin. ' Certain abandoned men, named Torchtwine, Berchthere, Fanbercht and Hunred,6 who are called fornicators and adulterers, had introduced heretical errors under the guise of religion, and these depravities had seduced many people. But, the saint, by his labours and preaching, brought many back again to the way of truth. From the communion of the Church, he expelled those false Christians, whose seduction and wickness for a time had much obstructed his pious endeavours. Then, piety began to revive, and the harvest became ripe for the reapers. Soon
their number began to increase, while preachers from France and Ireland, as also from England,7 were found. Monasteries were established, also, to receive
congregations of monks.
In the meantime, the fame of his labours spread all over Europe,
and especially in Britain, while the character of Boniface had been well
established, so that many desired to aid him. Thence he received divers
excellent men, eminent for their abilities and learning, as for their zeal and
holiness. The similarity of language eminently qualified the Anglo-Saxon
missionaries to labour among the Teutonic races. 8 Those preachers intended
to subject themselves to his rule, so that they might eradicate errors *of
paganismfromamongtheGermans. Therewerelectorsandscribesinthiscom-
munity of missioners. y Among them are specially mentioned Denevaldus, Bur-
chard, Wigbert, Gregory, Sturim, Lul, Memgoz, Willibald, and his brother
10
Winibald.
advanced the kingdom of Christ, especially among the hamlets and villages
there were to serve many holy virgins
of Hesse and 11 Thuringia.
Jointly with him, and under his direction, these^gloriously
Besides,
the cause of charity and education, among those of their own sex. 12 Among
them are distinguished Chunihilda, and her daughter Berathgit, Chunidrut, Tecla, Lioba, and Waltpurgis, who was sister to Willibald and Winibald. Especially Chunihilde and her daughter Berathgide, well instructed in the liberal sciences, were appointed as religious superioresses in Thuringia; Chunitrude was sent to Bavaria, as her sphere of action ; Tecla was stationed in Franconia; while Lioba, a relation of St. Boniface, presided over a communityofnunsatBischofesheim. Allofthesedidnotjointhegreat Apostle ot Germany, at one and the same time, or place ; but, as the occasion required, they were ready to second his various enterprises. ^
ibid. , "HistoiiseFrancorum/'lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , p. 310.
* His feast is held, on the 8th of July.
5 See Jules Zeller's " Histoire d'Alle-
magne,"tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii. , sect, iii. ,
Christianity," vol. ii. , book iv. , chap, v. , p. 58.
9 See Mabillon's "Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, lxiii. ,
p. 72.
I0
See the Third Life of St. Boniface, sect. 4.
" See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , pp. 93. 94.
"See Jules Zeller's "Histoire d'Alle-
magne," tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii.
