St. Boniface Novena
Contents
Show HideSaint Boniface was an 8th century monk and priest. He is known as the “apostle of Germany” for his missionary work in that country. He was also a renowned teacher and excellent evangelist. St. Boniface was killed for his Christian beliefs.
Pray the St. Boniface Novena to ask for his intercession!
About Saint Boniface
Saint Boniface was born in England in 680 to a noble family. His childhood name was Winfrid.
St. Boniface knew from a young age that he was called to the religious life. He overheard some monks’ conversation about God. It was that conversation that encouraged him to follow this dream.
His family was religious. However, they resisted his calling at first. They believed he had more important roles he could fill. St. Boniface remained convinced of his desire.
His father eventually agreed to allow St. Boniface to pursue religious life. He was then sent to an abbey for school. He was very intelligent and advanced quickly. After graduating, St. Boniface became the principal of the abbey school in Winchester.
St. Boniface was an excellent teacher. His students were eager to learn from him. Others outside of the school were too. The students’ notes from his classes were actually copied and read around the country!
St. Boniface became a priest at 30. He excelled at preaching as well as teaching. He had a bright future as a leader in the English Church.
But God had different plans for Saint Boniface.
Boniface’s heart was set on missionary work. He wanted to use his teaching skills to bring others to Christ as an evangelist.
St. Boniface and some companions set out to the Netherlands in 716. They returned to England soon after due to political clashes. At that time, the monks tried to make St. Boniface abbot. That would mean he would be the leader of the group. It would restrict his ability to evangelize. So he refused.
The second time he attempted the trip, St. Boniface received a letter from the Pope approving his plans to become a missionary. From then on, he became known as Boniface, which is Latin for “fortunate.”
He set out for Hesse, where a fellow missionary Willibord could teach him his ways. As in England, they tried to keep him there as Willibord’s successor. He did not want to be restricted to one place however.
St. Boniface quickly became a powerful missionary. He founded a monastery. He encouraged lax Catholics to join him in evangelization. And he converted so many hearts!
As a result, the Pope named St. Boniface a bishop of Germany. His region was undefined, generally overseeing “the races in the parts of Germany and east of the Rhine who live in error, in the shadow of death.” This allowed St. Boniface to continue his missionary work wherever God led him.
The Pope also provided St. Boniface with a letter to the political powers in Germany. This caused the Franks to promise their protection to him and his work.
St. Boniface continued to do his great missionary work throughout Germany. He was elevated to archbishop and then apostolic legate. He established many churches and monasteries. St. Boniface also inspired so many others to become missionaries as well.
He also held much power in the Church and German government. He used all of these positions to further his missionary work and win more hearts for Christ.
In 751, St. Boniface was martyred along with fellow missionaries. He was about to hold a confirmation for new converts to Christianity. Instead, he was attacked by pagans and killed.
Saint Boniface is the patron saint of Germany. It makes sense that his devotion to the country’s people was acknowledged in this way. He is also a patron saint of beer, brewers, and World Youth Day.
St. Boniface’s Feast Day: June 5
Why Pray the St. Boniface Novena?
Saint Boniface was known as the “apostle of Germany.” It is natural then that he is the patron saint of Germany. You might enjoy the St. Boniface Novena if you are German or love the country.
Interestingly, St. Boniface is also the patron saint of beer and brewers. Consider praying the St. Boniface Novena if you work at a bar or just love a good glass of beer! Some may also choose to pray the St. Boniface Novena for those who suffer from addiction to alcohol.
He was also a renowned teacher, so praying to him as or on behalf of a teacher makes sense as well!
You can pray the Saint Boniface Novena for any intention!
St. Boniface Novena Prayers
St. Boniface Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank You for the unique calling You have for each person. I know that You have special goals in mind for each of Your creations, including me. Help me to know and follow Your Will in my life.
St. Boniface, how hard it must have been to know that your family disapproved of you entering the religious life!
I have also felt that my vocation was being blocked at times. Whether disapproved by family members or mocked by society, I have questioned what God was actually telling me to do.
Imagine, however, if you had never entered the religious life! How many souls would not have come to know Christ?
St. Boniface, I ask that you intercede on my behalf. Help me to know and be strong in my vocation. Guide me on the path that leads to God.
Likewise, help me to also encourage vocations in those around me. Help me to never stand in the way of someone’s true calling from God. Give me the grace to help others discern God’s will in their own lives. Help me to always be a positive encouragement to others.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, we thank You for all missionaries, both at home and abroad, who sacrifice their everyday lives to tell others about You.
St. Boniface, you knew from an early age that you were called to the religious life. Your family’s disapproval didn’t stop you. You knew that was your calling!
Likewise, when you could have risen in power in the English Church, you instead followed God’s calling for you. This calling led you to sacrifice yourself as a missionary in Germany.
As a result, you established the Church in Germany and converted so many thousands of souls. Imagine if you’d followed your family’s wishes and not become a priest! Imagine if you had elected to become a leader in the Church in England! These wonderful works never would have occurred. God really does know best.
Through your example, I realize that I can have that same impact. My choices can also lead others to Christ in the same way yours did. Please, St. Boniface, I ask that you help me be a missionary in my own community in the way you were in Germany. Give me the courage to evangelize among my family and friends.
Please also bring before our Lord my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, thank you for all educators! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to advance as a society.
You were such a renowned teacher, St. Boniface. You were only in school a few years yourself before you were promoted to head of the school. You were so dedicated that you developed your own grammar for your students to use. It was easier to understand and it is still used today because it was so good. You were so beloved by your students that they saved their notes from your classes and sent them to others to learn from!
Teach me also, St. Boniface!
I too want to develop my mind in the pursuit of Truth. I too want to have a better understanding of the world and society. Most of all, I too want to know more about God and His creation.
It was this very teaching quality that made you such an effective evangelist, St. Boniface. Your joy for knowledge and learning shone through your work. It made you not only a wonderful teacher, but an even better preacher.
Help me to teach others about Christ. Even though my personal calling may not be teaching, all evangelism begins with being able to teach about God effectively. Help me to do so to bring others to Christ!
Please also intercede on my behalf regarding my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O God, thank You for our Church leaders!
St. Boniface, you repeatedly gave up opportunities to rise in power within the Church. As a young principal, you quickly set yourself apart. You were beginning to be noticed in leadership. Yet, you gave it up to begin your missionary work. You also refused to be abbot of your order for the same reason.
Your humility and dedication to your ministry were inspirational. Help those in Church leadership have the same dedication to their ministries. Open their ears and hearts to hear the influence of the Holy Spirit. Inspire them to be worthy shepherds of God’s people.
I also ask that you pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank You for constantly bringing more people to Your Heart!
St. Boniface, your primary mission in life was to develop converts. As a missionary, you went out to unevangelized areas. You saw many hearts turn to God. You were responsible for their training in the faith. And it was your joy to see them become evangelists themselves.
Help me to help converts in any way I can. Influence my responses to their questions. Inspire me to assist in their formation. Remind me to pray for their ongoing faith. Most of all, guide their souls ever towards Christ.
I also ask you to intercede on behalf of all those who work in formation for converts - RCIA coordinators, priests and deacons, and Catholic educators.
Please also bring before our God my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Oh how Your Heart aches for those who do not believe in You, God! You gave them life and You love them so much. Yet, they do not believe in Your existence or power.
St. Boniface, you encountered unbelievers all the time. Centuries later, I do too. I encounter unbelievers every day - in my work, at the store, even in my own family.
Yet, you didn’t let that knowledge discourage you from your work. Rather, you worked even harder to make sure they came to know the love of God through you. You were especially fond of going to areas where people had never heard of God or Jesus. You enjoyed getting to be the first to tell them about Christ.
Please pray for all those who do not believe in God, St. Boniface. Please especially keep in mind those who are within my own family or friends.
Inspire me also to talk about God wherever I go, so that all may have the opportunity of knowing Him.
I ask also that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank you for the gift of knowledge. In revealing Yourself to us, You also allow us to discover more about You in Your creation. The more we know of creation, the more we learn about You!
St. Boniface, as a teacher, your students were enthralled by your teaching. They learned from you because of your dedication to education. You were passionate, wise, and approachable.
That same teaching spirit can be found in your evangelization of others and how you showed others God’s love.
Please watch over all students. Help them to expand their minds. Help them to be motivated to come to know the Truth. Help them to be energized by knowledge. Most of all, help them grow in their faith.
Also bless all those who cannot receive a full education because of lack of money or resources. Inspire me to help in this area if I am able. Remind me to keep those in need in my prayers.
St. Boniface, please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God, thank You for the gift of Faith! Thank You also for the example of strong fidelity that our persecuted brothers and sisters show You. In suffering patiently, they mimic Your own loving sacrifice.
St. Boniface, you loved God so much, you died for Him! What an outstanding outpouring of love, to die as a martyr.
There are still martyrs today. Please bless the souls of all who are killed for their faith. Comfort their families. And help their sacrifices to be inspirational to others.
There are also so many people who are persecuted for their faith in other ways. Though they might not be killed for it, they may be outcast from society. They may have to worship in secret. They may even lose their jobs, be put on trial or in jail, or simply verbally mocked for their belief in God.
St. Boniface, I know I will have to face persecution in some form for my belief in God. Help me to resolve to be strong in the Lord. And please help all who are called to act on their faith to do be courageous and inspire others.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Saint Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Boniface Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear God, thank You for the wonderful example of St. Boniface.
St. Boniface, your whole life revolved around doing God’s Will. You weren’t influenced by others’ plans for your life. You knew what God wanted you to do. Nothing would stop you from achieving that goal.
Can you help me also be so resolved in God’s Will? Sometimes, it can be hard to stay on track with so many distractions. It can be difficult to hear God’s voice in all the noise of the world. Even when I do feel convinced of His plans for me, I worry and fail to trust. I need your help!
Thank you for your great example of piety and fidelity. Help me to do the same and encourage others as well!
At this time, I also ask that you bring my intentions before our Heavenly Father:
(State your intentions here)
St. Boniface, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.