Weekly highlighting those who give their lives to God.

Saint Nicholas of Flue

“When the world hates you and is faithless toward you, think of God, how He is struck and spat upon. You should not accuse your neighbor of guilt but pray to God, that He be merciful to you both.”

Nicholas was born on March 21, 1417, in the village of Flueli, near Sachseln of Switzerland as the eldest of 3 sons to very devout Catholic peasants.

In his youth he was fond of praying and practiced mortification.

At the age of 21, he enrolled in the army to fight against the Burgomaster of Zurich, who claimed additional territory, and attempted a succession from the Switzerland Confederacy. He distinguished himself as a soldier.

He married Dorothea Wissling at the age of 25, built a home, and together they had 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters.

He took part in the Battle of Ragaz and then in the Thurgau war against the Archduke Sigismund of Austria in 1460. Because of his intercession and influence, he prevented a Convent of Dominican nuns from being destroyed.

He continued to serve in the military, rising to the rank of captain, but left at the age of 37 to become a counselor of his State for the Swiss Confederacy. He served for 5 years and then as a judge for 9. He declined the opportunity to serve as Governor.

At the age of 51, he received a mystical vision which he recognized as his cares for this worldly life swallowing up his spiritual life and decided to devote himself entirely to contemplation as a hermit. With his wife’s consent, he left her and the children, rescinded all his political duties, and aimed to join a mystic brotherhood near Basel.

He took his name, Flue, from the local river near his birthplace.

Symbolic visions continued while he assisted with daily mass and with his contemplation. He became a spiritual guide whose advice was widely sought and followed. His reputation for wisdom and piety was such that nobles and clergy from across Europe came to seek his advice and he was compared to Saint Anthony.

His counsel prevented a civil war between the Confederate States with the Diet of Stans Agreement in 1481. He is honored with the permanent national unity of Switzerland and the Archduke Sigismund sent him a gilded chalice. Letters of gratitude to him from Berne and Soleure still survive.

When he died on March 21, 1487, he was surrounded by his wife and children. His youngest son became a priest and doctor of theology.

In 1941, the Swiss Bishops promised to go on a pilgrimage in his honor if the country was spared from the effects of war and it was during WWII.

He is the patron saint of Pontifical Swiss Guards, KLB Catholic Rural Communities Movement, and of Switzerland.

His feast day is March 21.

For God’s Glory.

Saint Nicholas of Flue’s Birthplace

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Weekly highlighting those who give their lives to God.