The Special Consecration of the Shrine of Einsiedeln

The origins of the first Swiss Catholic Shrine, located about 40 km from Zurich, dates back to the 9th century. Circa 853, the Abbess Hildegard, daughter of Louis the German, asked Saint Meinrad (+861), monk and poet from Reichenau, to move there and consecrate a chapel to Our Lady of Einsiedeln. The saint was murdered on the site on January 21, 861. In 906, a Benedictine monastery was established. The following year, Blessed Bennon, bishop of Metz, came to live there. In 947, Emperor Otto I confirmed this foundation in honor of Saint Maurice and Our Lady. On September 14, 948, Bishop Conrad of Constance, and Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg, journeyed to Einsiedeln to consecrate the new conventual church. Toward midnight, during the night office, Conrad suddenly heard harmonious voices fill up the nave. He raised his eyes and saw a choir of angels (...). Jesus Christ?, clothed with purple ornaments, was celebrating at the altar the office for the dedication. Around him one could see Saint Peter, Saint Gregory, Saint Augustine, Saint Stephen and Saint Lawrence. In front of the altar, on a throne resplendent with light, sat the august Queen of Heaven. The monks tried to shake Conrad out of his stupor. But no sooner were the monks arrayed at the foot of the altar than a mysterious voice resounded under the vault (...): "Stop, my brother, stop: the chapel has already been divinely consecrated." The abbot of Einsiedeln bears the honorary title of Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. The current buildings date from 1704-1717. The feast of the "angelic consecration" (Engelweihe) is celebrated on September 14, in Einsiedeln, the place of the first Swiss pilgrimage.