Patron saints of Switzerland
Beatus, Maria, Karl, Nicholas
Since the 13th century, soon after the allegiance oath of the original cantons, St Beatus has been a patron saint of the Swiss confederates and the Beatus Caves have been a place of pilgrimage. From the middle of the 14th century, when the confederation had grown to eight cantons, the militant confederates chose Our Lady of Einsiedeln as their patron saint. At the time of the Counter Reformation, Charles Borromeo, who was canonised in 1610, also held the position of patron saint – of Catholic Switzerland.
After Brother Klaus, the confederates’ peacemaker, had finally been canonised in 1947, the position of patron saint of Switzerland was conferred upon him, and this is increasingly also being accepted by Protestants.