St. Conrad of Piacenza: Hermit (1290-1351 A.D.)
Conrad was born of a noble family in Piacenza, Italy. He married a nobleman's daughter and resided in his own birthplace. The story of his conversion began with an incident. One day, he went on a hunting trip. He had lit a fire but it went out of control. The fire burned a neighboring cornfield and forest. To pay for these damages, St. Conrad had to sell all of his property and other possessions. It was this incident that led him to to change his way of life. He got what was left of his possessions, gave it to the poor, and became a Franciscan tertiary and a hermit. St. Conrad lived a life of great austerity. His wife also decided something similar and entered the Poor Clares (the second order of the Franciscans). Through that hunting accident, the couple from Piacenza experienced a turning point in their life and was converted to seek a life of prayer, penance, and service to others, rather than one of comfort and richness.
Growth in holiness and sanctity
Because of his austere religious practices, Conrad obtained a reputation for sanctity. Large crowds were attracted by his holiness. St. Conrad had to move to Noto, in Sicily, Italy. It was here that he lived for the next thirty years in St. Martin's hospital, and in a hermitage founded by a fellow nobleman. His last years were spent in a grotto of Pizzone, outside Noto, where he died and was buried.
A miracle-worker
Numerous miracles were reported at the tomb of St. Conrad of Piacenza. Because of prayers answered and these miracles, Conrad's sanctity was approved by Pope Paul III (1534-1549). Although his feast is not found in the General Roman Calendar, the Franciscans traditionally celebrate it every February 19. St. Conrad of Piacenza lived well the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi as a member of the Third Order Franciscans. After a life committed to prayer, penance and service to the sick, he died at the age of 61 years old in 1351 A.D.
Next story in this post on recluses, hermits and anchorites is the life of St. Nicholas of Flüe, the patron of Switzerland. St. Nicholas is honored by Swiss Protestants and venerated by Swiss Catholics.
St. Nicholas of Flüe: Hermit (1417-1487 A.D.)
Nicholas was born on the Flüeli, a fertile plain near Sachseln, Obwalden (Unterwalden) Canton, Switzerland, on March 21, 1417. He comes from a family of Swiss farmers, and at an early age belonged to a group of lay people called "the Friends of God" - those who live ascetical lives of prayer and service to others. As an adult, Nicholas served in the army. In 1447 A.D., he married Dorothea Wissling - a farmer's daughter from whom he sired ten children.
An active political life
Nicholas fought with the forces of Obwalden in the war with Zurich in 1439 A.D. He was a captain in the occupation of the Turgau in 1453 A.D. Although he consistently refused the position of governor, he served as magistrate and councilor for Obwalden. As a father, husband, farmer, military leader, member of the assembly, councilor or judge, Nicholas was always a person of complete moral integrity.
Answering God's call
In 1467 A.D., at the age of 50, with his wife's consent, (and after twenty years of married life), he answered God's call to the eremetical life, and lived in a cell or cottage at Ranft, near Sachseln (not far from his home). For 19 years, he lived without food or drink, subsisting only on holy Communion from the chapel at Ranft.
A holy man involved in Swiss history
St. Nicholas (known affectionately as Bruder Klaus) became known for his holiness and wisdom. He was consulted by a constant stream of both leaders and common folk from all walks of life. He was responsible for the inclusion of Fribourg and Soleuse in the Swiss Confederation in 1481 A.D. (after independence had been won from Charles the Bold of Burgundy). He was also instrumental in the prevention of civil war when Switzerland's leaders could not come to an agreement. After a week of intense suffering, he died on his cell in Ranft, on March 21 (the same day he was born), at the age of 70, with his wife and children at his deathbed. He was immediately hailed as a patriot and a saint. St. Nicholas of Flüe was an outstanding religious figure in Swiss history. His cult was approved in 1669 A.D.; canonization in 1947 A.D.
To be continued.
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