Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. , at
sacred-texts.com ST. BONIFACE was born at Crediton in
Devonshire, England, in the year 680. Some missionaries staying
at his father's house spoke to him of heavenly things, and
inspired him with a wish to devote himself, as they did, to God.
He entered the monastery of Exminster, and was there trained for
his apostolic work. His first attempt to convert the pagans in
Holland having failed, he went to Rome to obtain the Pope's
blessing on his mission, and returned with authority to preach
to the German tribes. It was a slow and dangerous task; his own
life was in constant peril, while his flock was often reduced to
abject poverty by the wandering robber bands. Yet his courage
never flagged. He began with Bavaria and Thuringia, next visited
Friesland, then passed on to Hesse and Saxony, everywhere
destroying the idol temples and raising churches on their site.
He endeavored, as far as possible, to make every object of
idolatry contribute in some way