St. Boniface I, Pope

The Saint of the Day for September 4 is St. Boniface.

"If we knew at what time we were to depart from this world, we would be able to select a season for pleasure and another for repentance. But God, who has promised pardon to every repentant sinner, has not promised us tomorrow. Therefore we must always dread the final day, which we can never foresee. This very day is a day of truce, a day for conversion." - Saint Gregory the Great

Though few details are known of Boniface's early life, he was elected Pope on December 28th, 418. He is believed to have been ordained a priest by Pope Damasus I (366-384) and to have served as representative of Innocent I at Constantinople (c. 405).

Boniface was highly esteemed for his charitable and learned personality which he placed in the service of his priestly duties.

At the death of Pope Zosimus in 418, two Popes were elected, Boniface and Eulalius. They were sent away from Rome by the emperor until the difficulty would be cleared. Eulalius failed to respect the Emperor's decree and thus Boniface was recognized as the legitimate pope.

Boniface's reign was marked by great zeal and activity in disciplinary organization and control. He worked to reform certain corrupt practices and reduced the privileges granted to certain bishops.

He ardently supported Saint Augustine in his fight against Pelagianism and Augustine devoted several works to him.

Pope Saint Boniface died in Rome, September 4th, 422.