About Pfarr- Und Wallfahrtskirche (Pilgrimage Church):
This Baroque pilgrimage church was built in 1672-1684 and is visited every year by thousands of domestic and foreign pilgrims with the tomb of St. Nicholas of Flüe. Due to the growing number of pilgrims, the previous church had become too small during the beatification of Brother Nicholas in 1649.
This church houses the tomb of the Swiss patron saint in front of the main altar: the saint’s bones are now safe in a silver reliquary, which was integrated into the new celebratory altar during the renovation of the church in 1976. The Church also contains two precious mementos of Brother Klaus: his hermit robe (rock) and the image of meditation.
In 1974-1976 the exterior of the church church was restored and in 2012-2013 the interior was restored.
About Nicholas of Flüe:
Nicholas of Flüe (3/21/1417-3/21/1487) was a Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as Brother Klaus. A farmer, military leader, member of the assembly, councillor, judge and mystic, he was respected as a man of complete moral integrity.
The story become more interesting…and certainly controversial…when, in 1467, after some twenty years of married life, Nicholas received a compelling call to abandon his home and the world and become a hermit. Though she had just borne his tenth child his wife heroically consented. His neighbors, however, even his older children, regarded his action as indefensible, unbalanced, immoral and irresponsible.
He set out for Alsace, where he intended to live. A storm overtook him, and along with friendly advice not to settle where the Swiss were definitely not welcome, made him turn back from the border. At the same time he became incapable of eating or drinking—a condition which continued for the rest of his life. As an act of obedience to a bishop he once ate with acute agony a piece of soaked bread
He resumed to his native canton, passing the first night undiscovered in the cow-shed of his farm and settled in a hermitage at Ranft within a few miles of his home. It was no temptation to return home, as he never felt the least desire for his former life.
Symbolic visions continued to be a feature of his contemplation, and when, after a month’s strict surveillance, his countrymen were convinced that his fast was genuine, they recognised his sanctity and vocation, and he became a spiritual guide whose advice was widely sought and followed. Pilgrims came from distant parts to consult him.
He acquired influence with Duke Sigismund of the Tirol, whom he confirmed in his neutrality when the Swiss confederacy met and defeated Charles of Burgundy the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476. This victory did not result in unity for the Swiss, since the rural cantons opposed the demand of Zurich and Lucerne that Freiburg and Soleure be admitted to the confederacy. A civil war resulted in 1481 and the parish priest, once Nicholas’s confessor, hurried to Ranft and laid the matter before the hermit. During the night Nicholas dictated suggested terms of agreement. The priest resumed in time to persuade the delegates to give a hearing to the proposals of a man so widely respected for his well tried practical abilities and so widely venerated for his holiness. The terms suggested—the conditional admittance of Freiburg and Soleure—were unanimously accepted and embodied in the agreement of Stans. Switzerland had been saved.
Nicholas survived his achievement almost six years, universally revered, visited and consulted. On March 21st 1487, his seventieth birthday, he died, apparently of his first illness. It is interesting that his wife and children attended his deathbed.
Venerated as a saint by Swiss Catholics, Brother Klaus is also honored by Swiss Protestants.
In 1947 he was canonized by Pope Pius XII.
On June 14, 1984 Pope John Paul II paid a visit here, as commemorated by the plaque shown on the left, which says “Bless Brother Kaus’ Companions and all pilgrims”.
Traveling to Pfarr-Und Wallfahrtskirche & the tomb of Saint Nicholas of Flüe in Sachseln, Switzerland:
Sachsen is bout 45 miles southwest of Zurich, about 1 to 1 1/2 hour drive depending upon driving conditions.
Address: Am Dorfplatz Sachseln, 6072 Sachseln, Switzerland
Tel: +41 41 660 44 18