Our Lady of Einsiedeln
Patrona Helvetiae
Since about the middle of the 14th century, Our Lady of Einsiedeln has been venerated as the patron saint of the country, which then only comprised eight cantons. Einsiedeln was regarded at home and abroad as the national treasure of Switzerland.
In more recent times, the Mother of God from Einsiedeln has faded into obscurity somewhat as patron saint, although in a book published in 1968 (Rudolf Henggeler, Heilige Stätten des Schweizerlandes (Holy Places of the Country of Switzerland)) she was prominently presented as the “Patrona Helvetiae”.
Even though there is no official Swiss pilgrimage to the patron saint in Einsiedeln, innumerable citizens of the Confederation make a pilgrimage to Einsiedeln – unknown and unrecognised – in order to pray for our country, our people, peace and salvation. It might be the same people who also make a pilgrimage for the same reason to our patron saint at Flüeli-Ranft.
Annual national pilgrimages date back to the days when Our Lady of Einsiedeln was the undisputed Patrona Helvetiae.