Course 3, Chapter 29

Christianity preserved and propagated. — St.Boniface. — Martyrdom of the Religious of Lerins and of St. Stephen, a solitary. — -Eighth Century.

1. Did the church make other conquests?

The Church made other conquests still more extensive: all Germany was converted by the preaching of St. Boniface, an English Benedictine, whom the Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory II., sent to preach the gospel to all the north of Europe.

2. What did St. Boniface do after receiving his

mission •

A. After receiving his mission, the saint departed for the scene of his future labors, converted the Bavarians, the rest of the Frisons, and of Saxon v. In order to secure the fruit of his labors, he founded the celebrated abbey of Fulde, which became a nursery of saints and great men, who civilized the Germans, after having made them Christians.

3. How did St. Boniface die?

St. Boniface, having been consecrated archbishop of Mayence, pushed his apostolic labors to the most distant portions of Friselanrl on the seaboard. He had already converted a great number of idolaters, when he was set upon by the barbarians, who procured for him the crown of martyrdom which he had long desired

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302 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

4. From whom had the church to suffer?

The church whilst rejoicing in the conversion of Germany, had much to suffer from the Saracens or Mahometans. They crossed from Africa into Spain, and thence passed into France, burning and slaughter ing all in their way.

5. By whom was their course arrested?

Their course was arrested by Charles Martel, a French prince, who defeated them in a bloody battle near Poietiers. Before and during this invasion great disorders had taken place; the sins of Christians were great, and victims were required to expiate them.

6. Who were these victims?

These victims were a great many holy bishops and religious living at that time, and especially the glorious martyrs whose blood was shed in torrents by the sword of the Saracens, particularly the religious of Luxeuil in Franche-Compte, and the religious of Lerins.

7. What else had the church to suffer during this century V

The church had also to suffer during this century from the impieties of the Iconoclasts or image-break ers They were heretics, and regarding as idolatrous the honor paid to the images of our Lord, the B. Virgin and the saints, went about destroying them.

8. Who was the author of this heresy?

The author of this heresy was Leo the Isaurian, who sustained it by the sword. His son Constantine endeavored to support it also, by argument, but he was confounded in a public disputation, by a holy solitary named Stephen. This prince, a persecutor of the church, died miserably, stricken by the hand of God.