Benedict XVI's first state visit to Germany includes a visit on Friday 23rd of September
to Erfurt, a city linked to Martin Luther but also to the Apostle of the Germans,
Saint Boniface.
The Pope describes this Anglo-Saxon missionary's legacy with
these words : " Saint Boniface continues to inspire us by his example of missionary
zeal , his complete fidelity to' the Word of God', the integrity of his Catholic faith,
his strong sense of communion with the Apostolic See and his efforts to promote the
fruitful encounter of Germanic culture with the Roman Christian heritage."
Also
to be heard in this programme are a selection of this eighth century missionary's
letters in which he emerges as an immensely warm and human person, homely, unassuming
and of an unshakeable faith and courage.
A programme presented and produced
by Veronica Scarisbrick