St Boniface was born in Devon in the year 680. He was educated at a Benedictine monastery in Exeter, later entering a monastery in Hampshire. He was consecrated a Bishop in 722, to go east beyond the Rhine and preach the Gospel there. In 732 he was consecrated Archbishop, founding in 741 the monastery of Fulda, where his body now rests after his martyrdom in 754.

He said: ‘The Church is like a great ship being ounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course’. In these days, there words are more apt than ever.

May God grant us the grace to keep steady, trusting always in the Lord; and may He bless you this day.