Nicholas of Flue

Saint Nicholas of Flüe (Niklaus von Flüe) (1417 - March 21, 1487) was a Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as "Brother Klaus."

Related Topics:
1417 - March 21 - 1487 - Hermit - Patron saint - Switzerland

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He was born in the canon of Unterwalden, the son of wealthy peasants, and made himself distinguished as a soldier in action against the canton of Zurich, which had rebelled against the confederation. At around the age of 30, he married Dorothy Wiss, a farmer's daughter. He continued in the military to the age of 37, rising to the position of captain, reportedly fighting with a sword in one hand and a rosary in the other. After serving in the military, he became a councillor and judge for his canton in 1459 and served as a judge for nine years.

Related Topics:
Unterwalden - Zurich - Rosary - Canton - 1459

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After receiving a mystical vision, he decided to devote himself entirely to the contemplative life, and in 1467 he left his wife and his ten children with her consent and set himself up as a hermit in the Ranft valley in Switzerland. According to legend, he survived for nineteen years with no food except for the eucharist. His reputation for wisdom and piety was such that figures from across Europe came to seek advice from him, and he was known to all as "Brother Klaus." His counsel prevented a civil war between the cantons meeting at Stans in 1481 when their antagonism grew. When he died, he was surrounded by his wife and children.

Related Topics:
1467 - Ranft - Eucharist - Europe - Stans - 1481

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He was beatified in 1669 and canonized in 1947. His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is March 21, except in Switzerland, where it is September 25.

Related Topics:
1669 - Canonized - 1947 - Roman Catholic Church - March 21 - September 25

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