This annual event of worship centered on sacrificing a human, usually a small child, to the pagan god. From his missionary travels, Boniface knew that in winter the inhabitants of the village of Geismar gathered around a huge old oak tree (known as the “Thunder Oak”) dedicated to the god Thor. He also became a friend of the Frankish court and helped reform and reorganized the Church in that area. Imbued with this new authority and pontifical mandate, Boniface returned to Germany in 723.īoniface spent the rest of his life evangelizing the areas of modern Germany and parts of the Netherlands. Impressed and pleased with Boniface’s efforts, Gregory consecrated him archbishop for all Germany east of the Rhine (without a specific episcopal seat) and placed his territory under the pope’s jurisdiction. News of his great achievements reached Rome, where he was recalled by Pope Gregory to provide a status report. Boniface also established Benedictine monasteries throughout his area of evangelization, including the great monastery of Fulda in 744. The newly named monk travelled to Hesse (central Germany) in 721 and “with his tireless activity, his gift for organization, and his adaptable, friendly, yet firm character” achieved great success, including the conversion of the twin chieftains Dettic and Deorulf. In recognition of his special missionary commission the pope also changed Winfrid’s name to Boniface. Pope Gregory was delighted at the arrival of the eager Winfrid and after a period of time commissioned him to preach the Gospel in the regions of Thuringia, Bavaria, Franconia, and Hesse. 715-731) had sent missionaries to Bavaria in 716 and decided to travel to Rome to become a missionary to the Germans.

Winfrid heard reports that Pope Gregory II (r. Winfrid grew in holiness and piety but yearned to leave the monastery and bring the light of Christ to the pagan Germans just as the monks had brought the Faith to England a century earlier.

The story of the Christmas tree begins in England, where the very young Winfrid decided to enter a Benedictine monastery over the objections of his parents. While he is well known as a great bishop and evangelizer, Catholic legend, based on actual historical events, also holds that Boniface is the founder of the use of a Christmas tree to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Paul” for his extensive travels and successful evangelization efforts in modern-day Germany. Boniface is regarded as “probably the greatest missionary since St. Boniface (680–754), known in Church history as the Apostle to the Germans.

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