Boniface was a Benedictine priest and bishop in the 7th and 8th centuries from England. He was sent as a missionary to bring the Gospel to the people of Germany and was so successful that he has become known as the “Apostle to the Germans.” 
    
When he went into Germany, most of the people were pagans, worshiping the Northern European gods (Odin, Thor, etc.). One story told about Boniface is about a tree in one of the German forests that was sacred to the god, Thor. Boniface preached at the foot of the tree to some of the German people, denouncing Thor and the other pagan gods. As he did so, a strong wind came and blew the tree down. Boniface gave credit to God who was showing that he was victorious over the gods.
    
Our neighbor parish in Ludlow is, of course, Sts. Boniface and James, having merged two parishes a number of years ago. Let us keep the members of that parish in our prayers as they celebrate their patronal feast day on June 5.