Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Biography:
It is interesting that even though he was considered a saint during his lifetime, his friends had after all built the chapel beside his cabin at the commencement of his secluded life, and a large church for pilgrims was also built opposite his cabin after his death, he was declared blessed in 1647, but only canonised on May 15, 1947. The church’s official processes were long preceded by the many fruits of his prayerful monastic life. He was honoured amongst the people well before the pope elevated him to the ranks of the saints. When visiting him in the burial ground of his homeland, I was moved to see how many modest, uncomplicated people’s graves were decorated with statues embodying various representations of him.To this day his living genuine respect, his influence is visible in his homeland !
Reflection:
Love breeds love. Saint Nicolas is not alone in loving his people. Perhaps not only Europe’s last great hermit, who made a loving prayerful sacrifice for his country, is attentively cared for in posterity. Through many centuries, to this very day, successive generations have cared for his birthplace - the house where he lived with his parents and siblings is, to this day, open to visitors. Similarly, the house where he lived with his beloved wife Dorothy, where Dorothy gave birth to their 10 children, and where his life-altering decision to devote the remainder of his earthly life to God came to fruition, is open to visitors. It is good to see that his solitary cabin is preserved in its simplicity - pilgrims are greeted with fresh flowers and the glow of a burning candlelight. It is wonderful to see Switzerland’s patron saint resting beneath the altar of the beautiful church in his birthplace. The uncomplicated man, who not only imagined, but through his prayers and wise advice delivered the peace that made Switzerland not only an island of tranquility, but the very symbol of well-being, prosperity and culture in our world. His prayerful life set a precedent that can encourage us too to strive for a world that is more worthy, and better for all people.
Let us Pray:
Lord our God, praying for the intercession of Saint Nicholas of Flue, we fervently kneel before you Holy Majesty, with a living faith, to pray for peace: peace for ourselves and the entire world. We pray for a peace that ends not only arguments and wars, but one that brings the human dignity, well-being, development and culture that flows from encountering You, and draws nearer the revelation of your wonderful Kingdom. We believe that in presenting our petitions before your Sacred Heart, we will be heard, and so with a trusting spirit we humbly offer every sacred minute of reflection, sacrifice, and repentance, with our brothers and sisters, as we pray
So that our petitions may be heard we pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
