Saint Nicholas of Flüe

Biography

Saint Nicholas of Flüe, also known as Brother Klaus, Bruder Klaus, Nicholas von Flüe, or Niklaus von Flüe, was born on March 21, 1417, in Sachseln, Canton Unterwalden, situated near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. He was born into a family of relatively wealthy peasants. In his youth, Nicholas pursued a career in the military and became a soldier. He distinguished himself in combat against the break-away canton of Zurich and eventually rose to the rank of captain. It is said that he fought with a sword in one hand and a rosary in the other, symbolizing his devotion to both war and prayer. At the age of 30, Nicholas married Dorothy Wiss, and they went on to have ten children together. Alongside his military career, Nicholas served as a cantonal judge and government advisor. Despite his qualifications to do so, he declined the role of cantonal governor. Nicholas experienced a transformative vision that would change the course of his life. In this vision, he saw a harnessed draft horse, representing his worldly life as a farmer, eating a lily, symbolizing his desire for a spiritual life of purity. Inspired by this vision, Nicholas felt a strong calling to withdraw from the world. With the support of his family, Nicholas became a hermit in the Ranft valley of Switzerland in 1467. He dedicated himself to a life of prayer and daily assisted at Mass. Accounts attribute to him the gifts of prophecy and inedia, the ability to survive solely on Holy Communion. Despite the physical hardships of his hermitage, Nicholas lived this way for 19 years. During his time in the hermitage, Nicholas gained a reputation for holiness and wisdom. People sought him out to learn from his spiritual insights, and he acquired many spiritual students. In 1481, he was called upon to mediate a dispute that threatened civil war in Switzerland. Guided by his wisdom, Nicholas successfully prevented the conflict, after which he retired back to his hermitage. Nicholas of Flüe is considered by many to be the father of Switzerland due to his contributions to the unity of the country. Both Swiss Protestants and Catholics honor him for his wisdom, holiness, and work towards unifying Switzerland. He passed away on March 21, 1487, in Ranft, Aargau, Switzerland, at the age of 70. It is reported that his wife and children were by his side at the time of his death. Relics associated with Nicholas of Flüe are housed in the church of Sachseln, Switzerland. Saint Nicholas of Flüe was beatified on February 1, 1649, by Pope Innocent X, confirming the cultus surrounding him. Later, on March 8, 1669, Pope Clement IX further confirmed his beatification. Nicholas was eventually canonized as a saint on May 15, 1947, by Pope Pius XII. He is recognized as the patron saint of councilmen, difficult marriages, large families, magistrates, parents of large families, separated spouses, Borgiallo in Italy, the Pontifical Swiss Guards, and Switzerland. His feast days are celebrated on March 21 and September 25 in Switzerland and Germany.