Boniface of Lausanne, O. Cist. B (AC)
Born in Brussels, Belgium; died 1265; cultus approved in 1702. Boniface was educated by the nuns of La Cambre (Camera Santa Mariae) near Brussels. Thereafter he studied in Paris, where he taught dogma and became one of the best-known lecturers in the university. He left the university during a student strike, when his pupils no longer came to his classes, and transferred his chair to the University of Cologne. About 1230, he was consecrated bishop of Lausanne, Switzerland, but found that his zeal and frankness was met by misunderstanding and resentment. Having incurred the enmity of Emperor Frederick II, Boniface was attacked and badly wounded in 1239. Convinced he was unfit for office, he begged the pope to release him. The Holy Father agreed. Boniface resigned to live at the Cistercian convent of La Cambre as chaplain to the nuns. It is uncertain whether he actually became a Cistercian or simply lived out his life among them (Benedictines, Walsh). Saint Boniface is portrayed as a Cistercian bishop with an image of the Virgin and Child on a book. Venerated in Brussels, Cologne, Lausanne, and Paris (Roeder).