Saint Meinrad
Ermite à
Einsiedeln (+ 861)
Voilà plus de dix siècles que l'on vénère à Einsiedeln en Suisse, au canton de Schwytz, "Notre-Dame des ermites", un don fait par la petite-fille de Charlemagne à son cousin, ermite, saint Meinrad qui vivait là depuis de longues années. Après avoir fait ses études des Belles-Lettres qui introduisaient à la lecture de l'Écriture Sainte, il partit mener la vie érémitique. Peu à peu, et comme toujours, la sainteté attire les pèlerins, qui purent ainsi vénérer la sainte Mère de Dieu en ce sanctuaire. Un soir, deux garçons de mauvaise vie demandèrent à saint Meinrad l'hospitalité. Il les logea et les nourrit. Le lendemain matin, il célébra la messe et c'est là que les deux hommes l'assassinèrent, pensant trouver beaucoup d'argent. Ils ne trouvèrent aucun trésor, car saint Meinrad n'acceptait jamais d'argent de la part des pèlerins.
Près du lac de Zurich en Suisse, vers 864, saint Meinrad, prêtre, qui mena
d'abord la vie de cénobite, puis celle d'ermite, et fut massacré par des
brigands à qui il avait donné l'hospitalité.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/477/Saint-Meinrad.html
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Meinrad (saint)
Autrice/Auteur: Gregor
Jäggi Traduction: Olivier Meuwly
21.1.861 (assassiné), abbaye
de Reichenau. D'origine sociale inconnue, Meinrad venait du Sülichgau (Souabe).
Ecole du couvent de Reichenau. Prêtre diocésain, il entra au couvent de
Reichenau sous l'abbé Erlebald, puis fut maître dans un couvent inconnu au bord
du haut lac de Zurich. Il commença sa vie d'ermite vers 828 au col de l'Etzel,
puis s'installa vers 835 à l'endroit qui deviendra Einsiedeln. Il fut vénéré
comme martyr dès le début du Xe siècle. L'abbaye fut fondée en 934 près de
son ancienne cellule. Un office de messe en son honneur ne fut institué qu'en
1039, à l'occasion de la translation de ses reliques à Einsiedeln. A l'abbaye,
le culte en l'honneur de Marie remplaça peu à peu celui de Meinrad. De façon
surprenante, le saint n'est guère vénéré en Alémanie. La plus ancienne vita de
Meinrad, en provenance de Reichenau, date du Xe siècle. Celle rédigée par
le dominicain Georg von Gengenbach en 1378, enrobée de légendes, assura sa
popularité.
Sources et bibliographie
O. Lang, éd., Sankt
Meginrat, 2000
Suggestion de citation
Gregor Jäggi:
"Meinrad (saint)", in: Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse
(DHS), version de 2007 (article de l’ouvrage imprimé, remanié le 30.01.2020),
traduit de l’allemand. En ligne:
https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/fr/articles/010195/2020-01-30/, consulté le 27.08.2026.
SOURCE : https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/fr/articles/010195/2020-01-30/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Also
known as
Meinrad of Reichenau
Maynard…
Meginrad…
Meginrat…
Meino…
Meinrado…
Meginrado…
Profile
May have been a member of
the noble Hohenzollern family. Educated,
professed as a Benedictine monk,
and ordained at
the abbey on
the island of Reichenau, in Lake Constance in Switzerland. Teacher in
Zurich, Switzerland.
Around 829 he
withdrew to live in prayer as
a hermit in
the Black Forest. As word of his holiness and wisdom spread, he attracted many
visitors and would-be students. In 836 he
retreated to a more remote location near Einsiedeln (which
means hermitage).
On 21
January 861 he
received, fed, sheltered and entertained two rough-looking travellers.
They were thieves,
and when they found that Meinrad was a holy hermit who
owned nothing worth stealing, they were so angry that they beat him to death.
Legend says that his body was protected by ravens who attacked and chased away
the murderers. Because he was such a holy man, he was considered a martyr,
but there is no evidence that he died defending
the faith.
In the years following
his death,
a series of hermits,
including Blessed Benno,
used his hermitage.
In 934 a Benedictine monastery was
built there. It survives today, still serving as monastery,
retreat center, and pilgrimage site.
The statue of the Blessed
Virgin in its huge church is thought to have belonged to Meinrad
himself.
Born
at Solgen, Swabia (Sülichgau
near Wurtemberg)
Died
beaten
to death with clubs by robbers on 21
January 861 at Einsiedeln, Switzerland
relics in
the abbey church
at Einsiedeln
dead monk with ravens pursuing
his murderers
dead monk with
two ravens near
him
monk being
beaten to death with clubs by two men
monk eating
fish with a widow
monk holding
a club and ciborium
monk with
a tau staff walking into the wilderness
two ravens
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Roman
Martyrology, 1914 edition
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict, by Father Aegedius
Ranbeck, O.S.B.
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
images
video
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
websites
in nederlandse
spletne
strani v slovenšcini
MLA
Citation
‘Saint Meinrad of
Einsiedeln‘. CatholicSaints.Info. 13 January 2022. Web. 27 August 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meinrad-of-einsiedeln/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meinrad-of-einsiedeln/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln, Bahnhof und St. Meinrad-Brunnen
.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original)
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln, Bahnhof und St. Meinrad-Brunnen
.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original)
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln,
Bahnhof und St. Meinrad-Brunnen
St. Meinrad
Feastday: January 21
St. Meinrad, martyr is
venerated as the patron and in some sense the founder of the Benedictine abbey of
Einsiedeln in Switzerland which
has kept an unbroken continuity since Carolingian times. He settled as a hermit
at Einsiedeln, where he was murdered by two ruffians to whom he had given hospitality in
861. His feast day is
January 21st.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=762
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Darstellung
des heiligen Meinrad auf dem Weg in den Finsteren Wald, aus: Guttäterbuch, 1588
- 1785, Gouache auf Pergament
Article
(Saint) Martyr (January 21)
(9th
century) A Saint of
Eastern France, who became when in his twenty-fifth year a monk at Reichenau,
near Lake Constance. After being ordained priest, he was employed for some
years in the care of souls and in the instruction of youth. But in middle life
he felt called to solitude, and at length found a resting-place in a dense
forest in Switzerland, where he built a cell and a chapel,
placing therein a statue of the Blessed Virgin presented to him by a Benedictine Abbess.
This statue came to be called that of “Our Lady of the Hermits,” and the chapel
itself Einsiedeln (Hermitage). Saint Meinrad,
after several years passed there as a Recluse, was murdered by some ruffians,
who thought to discover hidden treasures in the poor hermitage (A.D. 861).
On the spot arose the celebrated Abbey of Einsiedeln, still flourishing in our
own day. Saint Meinrad
was canonised about A.D. 1000,
and is traditionally venerated as a Martyr.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Meinrad”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
25 March 2015. Web. 27 August 2026. <https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-meinrad/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-meinrad/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Benedictine Abbey in Einsiedeln
New Catholic
Dictionary – Saint Meinrad
Article
Martyr,
born in the Sülichgau near Rottenburg, of the Hohenzollern family; died 861.
He was educated at
the abbey school
of Reichenau, where he became a monk and
was ordained.
After some years at Reichenau and Bollingen, he embraced an eremitical life and
established his hermitage on the slopes of Mount Etzel, taking with him a miraculous
statue of Our
Lady. Saint Meinrad
was murdered by robbers who coveted the treasures offered at the shrine by
devout pilgrims. On this site was erected the famous abbey of
Einsiedeln. Emblems:
two ravens, which betrayed Saint Meinrad’s slayers. Relics in the abbey church. Feast, 21
January.
MLA
Citation
“Saint Meinrad”. New Catholic Dictionary. CatholicSaints.Info.
24 July 2018. Web. 27 August 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/new-catholic-dictionary-saint-meinrad/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/new-catholic-dictionary-saint-meinrad/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Stained
glass window depicting Saint Meinrad, in the Catholic church of Mammern,
Switzerland
Meinrad of Einsiedeln,
OSB Hermit M (RM)
(also known as Maynard,
Meginrat)
Born at Solgen (Sulichgau
near Wurtemberg), Swabia; died at Einsiedeln, Switzerland, c. 861-63. The abbey
of Saint Meinrad at Einsiedeln near Lake Zurich takes its name from this saint.
It's interesting that several sources (who may have copied from each other or
another single source) say that Saint Meinrad was born of the noble
Hohenzollern family. Farmer reports that his parents were free peasants. In
either case, he was educated, professed, and ordained at the abbey of
Reichenau, Switzerland. He had some teaching assignment near the upper lake of
Zurich.
Meinrad's soul, however,
longed for solitude, and to devote itself to contemplation. He looked for and
found the perfect place in a forest. With the permission of his superiors,
about 829, Meinrad went to live as a hermit at the place. Like many hermits
before him, Meinrad practiced austerity. Word of his holiness spread and
attracted many visitors. So many that he found it necessary to move to a
remoter spot, where the abbey was built 40 years after his death.
On January 21, 861,
courteously received two visitors, whom he fed and provided shelter although he
knew them to be ruffians. They were robbers who murdered Meinrad with clubs
upon finding he had no tangible treasure. Because Meinrad was a holy man, he
was regarded as a martyr. The thieves were found, judged, and executed.
Meinrad's body was enshrined at Reichenau, where it was venerated.
Beginning about 900 with
Blessed Benno, a succession of solitaries occupied his hermitage (which is what
the name 'Einseideln' means), and eventually, in the 10th century, a regular
Benedictine monastery was established there. It became a great monastery and
pilgrimage center that has an unbroken history of over 1,000 years. The statue
of the Blessed Virgin in the huge church is said to have belonged to Meinrad
himself. He is the patron of Einsiedeln (Switzerland) and Swabia (Germany)
(Attwater, Attwater2, Benedictines, Coulson, Encyclopedia, Farmer, Walsh).
In art Saint Meinrad is
generally grouped with Saint Benedict, holding a club and ciborium. Sometimes
he may be pictured (1) beaten to death with clubs by two men; (2) as a monk
with a tau staff going into the wilderness; (3) with two ravens near him, or
pursuing his murderers; or (4) eating fish with a widow (Roeder).
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-meinrad-of-einsiedeln-hermit/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Diego
und Carlo Carlone: Meinrad-Altar, um 1730, in der Klosterkirche
Einsiedeln
Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict – Saint Meinrad, Martyr
Saint Meinrad was born in
Germany of noble parents, but was sent to be educated at the Monastery of
Augia, where he was under the special care of the good Monk Erlebald. Before
long the pupil outstripped his master in holiness of life, while he studied
philosophy and theology with great diligence and zeal. When his school-days
were over, Saint Meinrad entered the Benedictine Order and became a hermit.
While practising the greatest austerities he was often consoled in his solitude
by heavenly visions; and the Mother of God would appear to him, with the Holy
Child, and would converse with him. After the Saint had occupied his solitary
cell for twenty-six years, the wood in which he lived was visited by a band of
notorious robbers, who penetrated to the hermit’s retreat. The Saint, to whom
it had been revealed that he was to receive the Martyr’s palm and crown, was
attacked by the thieves and cruelly murdered; and after his death, much to the
consternation of his murderers, who fled in terror, and who were discovered by
two crows that had been fed by the Saint, and that followed them wherever they
went, pecking at their faces and hands, many wonderful things took place, while
the whole cottage was filled with a sweet odour. Saint Meinrad received the
Martyr’s crown on January 21st, in the year of our Lord 860.
– text and illustration
taken from Saints
of the Order of Saint Benedict by Father Aegedius
Ranbeck, O.S.B.
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-meinrad-of-einsiedeln/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
The Life of Venerable
Meinrad, the Hermit
Note: The following
text is from the Latin account of the life of the martyr Meinrad, who is known
as the patron saint of hospitality, and was probably written in the 10th
century by a monk of Reichenau Abbey. The English translation was completed by
the monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.[1]
Before I tell the story
of the passion and death of the venerable man Meinrad, it will be good as a
kind of foretaste to write briefly of when he was born, whence he came and
where he went, where or rather to whom he was first sent to learn to read and
write, under what abbot he took upon himself the keeping of the monastic life
and, how also, from battle in common with his brothers, he entered into the
single contest of the desert. Then I will go back to the things I propose to
deal with more fully.
In the time of Charles,
most glorious emperor of the Franks and the first among them to receive the
name of Caesar, Meinrad was born in Alamannia, in the country which of old was
called Sulchgau after the village of Sulchen.[2] His
parents were Alamanni and were noted more for the nobility of their lives than
for their familiarity with riches.
When at length he had
reached the age when he might suitably learn to read and write, his father took
him to the island which old people called Sindlazaugia, from the name of a
certain priest called Sindlaz. Sindlaz was the first to build lodgings for
monks on the island. At the command of the most noble Peratold of the Alamanni,
he persuaded St. Pirmin with his companions to live there, in the time of
Pippin, king of the Franks, and named the island for himself. [3]
It was here, then, that
the boy Meinrad was led by his father, and put in the care of a man in all
things most honorable, the monk Erlebald, who was as well related to Meinrad by
marriage. When he saw that the child was of good character, Erlebald willingly
accepted the task of rearing him.
His Early Education
He taught him carefully
and instructed Meinrad so thoroughly that he was instilled with no small
knowledge of sacred Scripture. For from the earliest age, the boy avoided the
frivolities and errors in which youth is usually entangled, and set his mind to
take in those things which his teacher had taught.
When he was 25 years old,
Meinrad was raised to the office of deacon, and not long afterwards to the rank
of priest, doing as did his teacher. This was when Louis, the son of Charles,
reigned as emperor, and the abbot of the island was a man named Hatto.[4] Hatto
was very distinguished for his teaching, good works, and nobility of life, and
was bishop of the church of Basel. He renounced the affairs of the active life,
however, and gave himself over to the beauty of the contemplative life.
So it was that, elected
by all the brethren, Erlebald was put in charge of the island and the brothers,
and with the permission of Louis, the emperor, placed in the office of abbot[5] Once
he took up this charge, he immediately persuaded the venerable man Meinrad to
accept the yoke of the rule (Rule of St. Benedict) and undertake to keep the
standard of monastic life.
Meinrad consented to this
sound advice, made his promise, and strove with every effort to keep what he
had promised. He was always prompt to obey, strict in fasting, zealous in
prayer, generous in works of mercy, and most of all in humility did he place
himself beneath everyone else.
While he grew strong in
these ways, Meinrad was assigned by the abbot to a certain small cell belonging
to the monastery, close by Lake Zurich, into which the river Limmat empties, so
that Meinrad could be in charge of the school there, and share with many to the
Lord's advantage the talent with which he had been enriched.
Seeking Solitude
Some time passed while he
was so engaged. One day, he took with him some students he had brought up, and
crossing the lake, entered a deserted place which adjoined the lakeshore. He
went all the way to the Swiss Alps[6] and
came to the village of Chama to do some fishing-and to find a place for a
hermitage.
So they came to a certain
river which flowed down in that solitude. And there the blessed man engaged his
companions in fishing, while he on the other hand wandered about, alone with
himself, contemplating the solitude. For he was very much on fire with love for
this solitary place.
After pasturing his mind
for a long time on this thought, he returned to his comrades and found them
weighed down with no small catch of fish. And he said to them: "Thanks be
to God, who in his generosity has mercifully enriched us with his gifts. Now my
sons, if you please, we must return and look after our home." They went
back and came down to the village located not far from the shore.
There they entered the
inn of a certain woman, rested a little while, and refreshed themselves with food
and drink. But the man of God, discerning that this woman was God-fearing and
very ready to look after guests, opened to her the secret desire of his mind.
And he began in these
words: "O woman dear to Christ, did you want to hear it, I would tell you
the secret of my heart. But before I do, I ask you to keep my will and words
hidden, until you see whether the work can be accomplished which I think myself
to have conceived with a devout mind. Living in this lonely place delights me
beyond all riches, and if I found someone who wanted to supply my bodily
necessities out of the love of God, I would want even now to put my cabin here,
so that I could be free to pray more frequently. But since I am denied this
consolation at present, I ask that in the meantime what I desire be
hidden."
Inspired by God (as I
believe), the woman replied: "I will reveal your secret to no one as long
as it is against your wish, but you should know that if you decide to persist
in your undertaking, I will supply your necessities for the sake of God, and
help you in your vow as much as I can."
Searching for God's Will
Returning thanks for this
promise, Meinrad walked back to his cell, whence he had set out, and there he
begged God continually with fasting and prayer to deign to establish in his
soul His Divine Will about this matter. And at length, strengthened with divine
inspiration, Meinrad left the cell and the school he had presided over, and
visited the woman again, for he wanted to find out whether or not she was
willing to persist in her promise.
When he saw that she had
remained constant in the offer of the promised aid to him, he built a hut for
himself in a lonely place [on Mount Etzel], not far from the village where the
woman lived.[7] And
there Meinrad served the Creator unceasingly with fasts and prayers; and the
woman and other pious folk provided him with the necessities of life.
For seven years Meinrad
served the heavenly King there; but since he was not strong enough to bear the
multitude of people who came to him, he moved and found a patch of level ground
among the mountains, very difficult to reach, four miles from the lakeshore.
There, with the help of pious folk and especially a certain abbess by the name
of Helwiga, he built a cabin, the bare necessity for his vow, and he remained
in that place for the rest of his life.[8]
He mortified himself with
the greatest fasts, as much as human frailty allowed, and prayed without
ceasing. He gave out as alms to his visitors all those things which faithful
men and women used to send him.
One day while he was
praying, it happened that a great host of demons surrounded him from every
side, and the servants of darkness so overshadowed him that he could no longer
see even the light of day. With terrible threats and the greatest dread, they exhausted
him. Prostrate in prayer, as the situation then required, he commended himself
with every desire to the holy Lord. Things went on in this way for a long time.
Then, he saw a light from
the east. Following this light, an angel came to him where he was lying
prostrate in prayer in the midst of the evil spirits; and with great authority,
the angel ordered the impious array to depart and to dare not inflict further
temptation or terror on Meinrad. After the host left, the angel consoled
Meinrad, as one friend another, and departed. And so from that day on, as the
venerable man himself used to say, he suffered no further terror from evil
spirits.
Spiritual Wonders
Afterwards, it happened
as well that a certain brother from the monastery came to visit Meinrad.
Meinrad received him and the companions who had come with him willingly, and he
kindly furnished all the things that befit guests, as much as was possible.
When the time for vespers had come, and the stars by their shining suggested
sleep, they renewed themselves with the sweet discourse of holy things, and
after compline went in to sleep, the visiting brother in one place, his
companions in others, and the venerable man in his private chamber.
After he had refreshed
his body with sleep for a little while, the man of God arose and watched in
vigil with his accustomed prayers. The visiting brother, though resting in bed,
passed the whole night practically sleepless. While he cast his eyes curiously
here and there, he saw a child of wondrous beauty in white robes, who seemed to
him about seven years old, come out of the oratory. And the child went in to
the man of God, prayed with him, and spoke of various matters with him.
Although the brother
could hear the sound of the boy's conversation, he nevertheless did not
understand the sense of it. And the child stood by the brother, who was fully
awake, and warned him of certain things, which the brother himself said he was
altogether forbidden to speak about openly.
For the sake of brevity,
I omit many wonders concerning Meinrad, which a full and faithful account
would set forth, and turn to how he gained the palm of martyrdom.
After Meinrad had lived
in that lonely place for 26 years, serving the Lord in fasts and by abstinence
from all worldly things, it came about by the inspiration of the one who
entered the serpent and through its mouth deceived our first parents and threw
them out of paradise that two men made their way to his cell in order to kill
him.[9] They
came to the village on the shore of Lake Zurich, asked where lay the path that
led to his cell, and had it pointed out to them.
And getting up in good
time the next morning, they went up the path shown them, driven by the terrible
spirit with which they were filled. For a long time, however, they strayed from
the right path leading to his cell. Greatly put out, they at length got to
where they wanted to go after the greater part of the day was spent. Meinrad,
keeping watch with his accustomed prayers, was devoutly offering the solemnity
of the Mass to the Creator.
Meinrad Foresees His
Death
Now before the evil men
entered his cell-one of whom was called Richard and was from the nation of the
Alamanni, and the other of whom was called Peter and was born of the nation of
the Raetians-[before they entered his cell, I say,] the chickens which the
venerable man kept there saw the men come near, scattered through the hermitage
as if they were being chased by a fox, and filled the woods with a resounding
and unusual clamor and unheard of noise, such that the thieves themselves were
astonished and wondered greatly at it, and in their own minds perceived that it
was unnatural. Still, they were not distracted from their task, and approached
the chapel.
Here, as was said, the
man of God was reconciling God to himself with abundant prayers. Foreseeing
what would happen, he had received the Lord's body as the viaticum of his death
with a pure heart and devout mind. For already the man of God sensed that his
slayers were at hand.
Still, he did not offer
himself to them at once, but delaying yet a little while, kept the door of his
chapel closed so that he could linger yet a little while in prayer. So he
finished his prayer with force, and taking up in his hands the reliquaries of
the saints one by one, he kissed them reverently, and was commending his agony
to the Lord and to the saints whose relics he reverently embraced.
The evil men had now
arrived, and were watching him do this through a kind of chink in the wall. At
last this strong athlete went out to the fight with God's help, and did not
deny his presence to the murderers. First offering them words of greeting, he
then said: "O friends, why did you come so late? Why didn't you hurry and
come and hear my humble Mass so that I could pray to our common Lord on your
behalf? But even now go in, ask God and his saints to be gentle with you, and
afterwards return to me, so that I may share for the love God whatever blessing
I can offer you that he bestows. And so finish the work that you have come to
do."
A Final Request
So they went into the
oratory, not intent on what he had urged them to do, but rather on the evil
they had come to commit, and they came back to him quickly. The man of God gave
them his tunic and cuculla, and added as well bread and drink, saying:
"Take these things from my hands; indeed, once you finish what you have
come to do, you can take for yourselves whatever you want of these things here.
For I know that you have come to kill me. But one favor I beg of you. After you
have ended the course of my present life, place these candles which you see and
which I made for this very purpose, one burning at my head and one at my feet.
Then afterwards quickly leave this place, lest those who are used to visit me
come upon you and force you to pay the penalty of your crime."
Then all at once Richard
seized the blessed man with his filthy hands, and locked his little body fast
in his arms, weakened as it was by fasting. And with an oath, he ordered his
companion to club the holy man. Peter disabled Meinrad by beating him on his
sides and legs, while the holy man raised his hands to God.
Richard said: "We
haven't got all day; hit him in the head and finish him off. Hurry up, or I'll
do it myself." And at once he took up the club and landed a blow on
Meinrad's head with all his might. So stricken, the holy man sank to the ground
half dead. And they flung themselves on him and strangled him with their hands
until he breathed out his spirit.
Meinrad's soul then went
forth, and in the very last gasp of breath, an odor of such sweetness came out
and filled the whole cell, as if perfumes of all aromas had been strewn around
and were sending out their fragrance. Then the thieves stripped him of the
clothing he was wearing, carried the man of God to the bed where he used to
rest, and put him in it.
They put a cloak
underneath him, and a blanket over him; and, as the man of God had asked when
alive, they took the candles, placed one at his head, and ran with the other to
the chapel to get a light from the flame that burned constantly in the oratory.
Ravens Reveal the Crime
Coming back to the little
body of the dead man, they found the unlit candle that they had put there
burning brightly. And all at once, such a great fear entered them that they did
not dare to touch any of the things related to the service of the altar. So
taking up the clothing and some bed coverings, they retraced their steps in
haste back to where they had come from.
Now there were some
ravens who used to come regularly to the servant of God when he was alive and take
what was offered from his hands. And as if wishing to avenge the dead man, the
ravens followed the thieves while they were fleeing from the hermitage, and
filled the woods with loud cawing. And flying as close to the murderers' heads
as they could, they published the crime that had been committed.
Not long afterwards, the
evil men were arrested, and the crime which they had committed in secret was
revealed, since God did not wish to postpone the punishment of the sin that
they had merited by killing the servant of God. For indeed, after the judges
and the Christian people under count Adalbert condemned them to it, they were
burned alive.
Now the candle they had
put at the head of the man of God and which was lighted by heaven burned down
to the straw they had put over his body. The fire burnt part of the straw and
went all the way up to the limbs of the dead man. But when it touched his
limbs, just as it was divinely lit, so also it was extinguished at the command
of God. From this, however, the news of his death spread abroad.
When it became known, the
venerable abbot Walter[10] and
the brothers living under him took the body of the man of God from his
hermitage, and transferring it to the monastery of Reichenau, buried it there
with due honor. So suffered the holy martyr, on the 21st day of January in the
eight hundredth and sixty-third year from the incarnation of the Lord, while
Louis reigned as king over the east Franks, in the 28th year of his reign.
Footnotes
1 Translated from
the "Vita S. Meginrati," edited by O. Holder-Egger, Monumenta
Germaniae Historica, Scriptores v. 15, pt. 1, pp. 444-448. Further notes
are from this edition. Holder-Egger supposes the author is a monk of Reichenau,
writing not long after the beginning of the 10th century, and thinks its
attribution to Abbot Berno of Reichanau (1008-1048) by Chr. Hartmann (whom
Mabillon follows in this) without foundation.
2 In the text:
Sulichkewe and Sulich. Sulchgau is the site of modern Rottenburg.
3 Rather, in the
time of Charles Martel, it would seem, about 724.
4 Abbot 807-823.
Thus, the events are to be dated somewhere from 814 to 823.
5 The year is 823;
Hatto was abbot from 823 to 838.
6 In the text, the
Penine Alps, but which as named today would be too distant from Lake
Zurich.
7 The year is about
829.
8 The year is about
836.
9 The year is
perhaps 861.
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln Eremita
e martire
† Einsiedeln, Svizzera,
861
Martirologio Romano: Tra i monti intorno al lago di Zurigo nell’odierna Svizzera, san Meinrado, sacerdote, che, dedito dapprima alla vita cenobitica, poi a quella eremitica, fu ucciso dai briganti.
San Meinrado (o Meginrado) nacque da una famiglia di contadini a Sulichgau, nei pressi di Wurtemberg in Germania. Entrò nel monastero benedettino di Reichenau in Svizzera, ove ricevette l’ordinazione presbiterale. Divenne poi insegnante vicino al lago di Zurigo. Sognando una vita di solitudine, verso l’829 i suoi superiori acconsentirono al suo passaggio alla vita eremitica e si stabilì dunque in una vicina foresta. Divenne ben presto famoso per la santità e l’austerità che contraddistinguevano la sua vita. Cominciando ad affluire numerosi i visitatori, Meinrado preferì trasferirsi in un luogo ancora più isolato, nei pressi di Einsiedeln, ove rimase per venticinque anni sino alla morte. Due briganti, convinti che il santo eremita nascondesse un tesoro, andarono a trovarlo spacciandosi per pellegrini e ricevettero cortese accoglienza. Non trovando però alcun tesoro, lo bastonarono a morte per poi darsi alla fuga.
La leggenda vuole che i due ladri vennero inseguiti da altrettanti corvi fino a Zurigo e qui gracchiando avvertirono le autorità. Furono dunque catturati e messi al rogo. Le spoglie mortali di Meinrado furono ritrovate e traslate a Reichenau per ricevere solenne sepoltura. Nonostante non fosse propriamente morto in odio alla fede, si sviluppò nei suoi confronti un culto quale martire. Quarant’anni dopo, un sacerdote di nome Benno tornò ad occupare l’eremo che era stato di San Meinrado. Convinto poi ad accettare la sede episcopale di Metz, preferì in seguito fare ritorno ad Einsiedeln per dare vita ad un monastero benedettino ancor oggi fiorente.
Autore: Fabio
Arduino
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/38405
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Sankt Meinrad (historische Abbildung, evlt.
Stumpf)
Meinrado (santo)
Autrice/Autore: Gregor
Jäggi Traduzione: Daniela Idra
21.1.861, nel
convento di Reichenau. Di ignote origini sociali, era originario del Sülichgau
(Svevia). Frequentò la scuola abbaziale di Reichenau e, divenuto sacerdote
diocesano, entrò nel monastero sotto l'abate Erlebald. Dopo aver insegnato
presso un convento non identificato sull'alto lago di Zurigo, intorno all'828
cominciò a condurre vita da eremita sul passo dell'Etzel e più tardi (intorno
all'835) ad Einsiedeln. Fu assassinato nell'861. Nel 934 nei pressi di quella
che era stata la sua cella venne fondata l'abbazia di Einsiedeln.
Meinrado fu venerato come martire soltanto dall'inizio del X secolo. Solo
nel 1039 fu officiata una messa in suo onore, in occasione della traslazione
delle reliquie ad Einsiedeln. Qui il culto di San Meinrado fu sostituito da
quello mariano, e anche in Alemannia si rivelò decisamente debole. La più
antica Vita del santo, compilata a Reichenau, risale all'inizio del X
secolo, mentre al domenicano Georg von Gengenbach si deve una Vita (1378)
più popolare, arricchita di leggende.
Riferimenti bibliografici
O. Lang (a cura di), Sankt
Meginrat, 2000
Suggerimento di citazione
Gregor Jäggi:
"Meinrado (santo)", in: Dizionario storico della Svizzera (DSS),
Versione del 2007 (voce dell’edizione a stampa del DSS, aggiornata il
30.01.2020)(traduzione dal tedesco). Online:
https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/it/articles/010195/2020-01-30/, consultato
il 27.08.2026.
SOURCE : https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/it/articles/010195/2020-01-30/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Meinrad-Statue
in der Pfarrkirche in Vilsingen in
Oberschwaben
Meinrad von Einsiedeln
eigentlich: Meginrad
auch: Megimad
auch: von der Reichenau
Gedenktag katholisch: 21. Januar
nicht gebotener Gedenktag im deutschen Sprachgebiet
Diözesankalender Freiburg i.Br., Rottenburg, Chur, Einsiedeln, St. Gallen
Weihe des Oratoriums: 14. September
in Konstanz: Übertragung der Gebeine nach Einsiedeln: 6. Oktober
Name bedeutet: kraftvoller
Ratschlag (althochdt.)
Einsiedler, Mönch, Märtyrer
* um 790 in Sülchen, heute abgegangene Siedlung im Stadtgebiet von Rottenburg in Baden-Württemberg
† 21. Januar 861 an der Stelle des heutigen Klosters in
Einsiedeln in der Schweiz
Meinrad, Sohn einer
Familie, die alemannischem Adel entstammte, 1 kam
im Alter von fünf Jahren als Schüler ins berühmte Kloster auf
der Bodenseeinsel Reichenau, wo er mit 25 Jahren zum Diakon, dann zum Priester
geweiht und auf Anraten seines Onkels, des Abtes Erlebald, Mönch im Benediktinerorden wurde.
In der mit einer Schule verbundenen Klosterzelle Babinchova - dem
heutigen Benken -
am Zürcher See wurde er um 824 Lehrer. Seine besondere Liebe zur Einsamkeit
ließ ihn dann 828 am Etzelpass südlich
des Zürichsees ein Einsiedlerleben führen. Weil ihn dort zu viele Menschen
aufsuchten, zog er sich um 835 zwei Wegstunden weiter zurück in eine
Einsiedelei im finsteren Wald an der Stelle des heutigen Klosters in
Einsiedeln, wo er - unterstützt von der Äbtissin Heilwiga von Säckingen und
anderen Frommen - über 25 Jahre lebte.
Meinrads geistliches
Leben war geprägt von strenger Askese nach dem Vorbild der alten Wüstenmönche.
Gegen seinen Willen verbreitete sich der Ruf des Einsiedlers wieder schnell in
der ganzen Gegend. Geschenke, die man ihm aus Dankbarkeit brachte, gab er an die
Armen der Umgebung weiter. Dennoch waren wohl solche Nachrichten der Grund
dafür, dass er von zwei Räubern, die er zuvor noch mit Brot und Wein bewirtet
hatte, überfallen und mit einer Keule erschlagen wurde. Zwei Raben, die Meinrad
aufgezogen und ernährt hatte, verfolgten der Überlieferung zufolge die Mörder
bis nach Zürich und
veranlassten dort ihre Gefangennahme.
An Meinrads Zelle
versammelten sich nach seinem Tod andere Einsiedler wie Benno,
bis daraus 934 durch Eberhard das Kloster
Einsiedeln mit der Benediktinerregel
wurde. Schon bald wurde auch Meinrads Lebensgeschichte verfasst. Zunächst auf
der Reichenau bestattet,
wurden Meinrads Reliquien 1039
an den Ort seines Todes zurückgebracht und in der nach dem Brand von 1029 neu
erbauten Kirche des Klosters beigesetzt; die Schädelreliquie liegt jetzt im
1984 durch Papst Johannes
Paul II. geweihten Volksaltar. Auf dem Etzelpass wurde
eine Meinrad geweihte Kapelle erbaut, die im 13. Jahrhundert erstmals
urkundlich bezeugt und 1698 neu gebaut wurde.
In Jedesheim -
dem heutigen Stadtteil von Illertissen - steht die einzige Kirche, die im
Bistum Augsburg Meinrad geweiht ist. 2019 wurde ein spiritueller Radweg
auf den Spuren des heiligen Meinrad eingerichtet, der zu seinen
Lebensstationen führt; die Website
Meinradweg informiert.
Attribute: Rabe, Krug und Brot
Patron der Gegend um Einsiedeln
1 Zum Grafensohn wurde
er erst in der Überlieferung des 11. Jahrhunderts.
Bilder
vom Etzelpass und aus der Meinrad-Kapelle
Die
Muttergottes von Einsiedeln
Seite
zum Ausdruck optimiertUnser Reise-Blog:
Reisen zu den Orten, an denen die
Heiligen lebten und verehrt werden.
Empfehlung
an Freunde senden
Artikel kommentieren / Fehler melden
Fragen?
- unsere FAQs antworten!
Impressum - Datenschutzerklärung
Schauen Sie sich zufällige Biografien an:
Autor: Joachim
Schäfer - zuletzt aktualisiert am 02.02.2026
Quellen:
• Vera Schauber, Hanns Michael Schindler: Heilige und Patrone im Jahreslauf. Pattloch, München 2001
• http://via-beuronensis.de/heiliger-meinrad-einsiedeln nicht mehr erreichbar
• Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, begr. von Michael Buchberger. Hrsg. von Walter Kasper, 3., völlig neu bearb. Aufl., Bd. 7., Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1998
• Georg Holzherr: Die Stiftskirche Einsiedeln. 22. Aufl. Schnell & Steiner, Regensburg 2011
• http://www.swp.de/ulm/lokales/kreis_neu_ulm/sankt-meinrad-auf-dem-berg-15656538.html nicht
mehr erreichbar
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Meinrad von Einsiedeln, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www-heiligenlexikon-de.translate.goog/BiographienM/Meinrad_von_Einsiedeln.htm?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc, abgerufen am 27. 8. 2026
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische
Heiligenlexikon in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte
bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177 und https://d-nb.info/969828497 abrufbar.
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di
Einsiedeln
Katholische
Kapelle Maria Einsiedeln und St. Meinrad in Ediger, einem Ortsteil von Ediger-Eller im
Landkreis Cochem-Zell (Rheinland-Pfalz), Figur des hl. Meinrad in einer Nische an der
Südfassade der Kapelle
Meinrad
Autorin/Autor: Gregor
Jäggi
21.1.861, Kloster
Reichenau. Unbekannter sozialer Herkunft, aus dem Sülichgau (Schwaben).
Klosterschule Reichenau, Diözesanpriester, unter Abt Erlebald Eintritt ins
Kloster Reichenau. Lehrer in unbekanntem Kloster am oberen Zürichsee, um 828
Beginn seines Eremitenlebens am Etzelpass, um 835 in Einsiedeln. 861 Ermordung.
934 Gründung des Klosters Einsiedeln bei der ehemaligen Meinradszelle.
Verehrung als Märtyrer nicht vor Anfang des 10. Jahrhunderts. Eigenes
Messoffizium erst 1039 anlässlich der Translation der Reliquien nach
Einsiedeln. Dort Verdrängung der Meinradsverehrung durch die Marienverehrung.
Auffallend schwache kultische Verehrung in Alemannien. Älteste Vita aus
Reichenau von Anfang des 10. Jahrhunderts, 1378 popularisierende, um Legenden
erweiterte Vita des Dominikaners Georg von Gengenbach.
Quellen und Literatur
Sankt Meginrat, hg.
von O. Lang, 2000
Zitiervorschlag
Gregor Jäggi:
"Meinrad", in: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (HLS), Version
von 2007 (Artikel aus der HLS-Druckversion, bearbeitet am 30.01.2020). Online:
https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/010195/2020-01-30/, konsultiert am
27.08.2026.
SOURCE : https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/010195/2020-01-30/
San Meinrado (Meginrado) di Einsiedeln
Heilige
Meinradus van Einsiedeln als kluizenaar Sylvae Sacrae Monumenta (serietitel), prent.
Catalogusreferentie: Hollstein Dutch 418, Opmerking: Sadeler, Johann I,
Hollstein Dutch 1016, Opmerking: Vos, The Illustrated Bartsch 386-1(2). Opschriften
/ Merken: verzamelaarsmerk, verso linksonder, gestempeld: Lugt 240. Omschrijving:
De H. Meinradus van Einsiedeln, een Duitse kluizenaar uit de negende eeuw na
Christus. Hij ligt languit op de grond voor zijn kluis. Zijn attribuut, een
tamme raaf, zit op het dak van zijn kluis. Op de achtergrond een berglandschap
met in de verte de twee rovers die hem zullen vermoorden. Prentmaker: Johann
Sadeler (I) (vermeld op object), naar tekening van: Maerten de Vos (vermeld op
object), uitgever: Johann Sadeler (I), uitgever: Raphaël Sadeler (I). Plaats
vervaardiging: München. Datering: 1594. Afmetingen: plaatrand: breedte 200 mm ×
hoogte 164 mm
Saint
Meinrad d'Einsiedeln en ermite ; Sylvae Sacrae Monumenta (titre de la série), estampe.
Référence catalogue : Hollstein Dutch 418, Note : Sadeler, Johann I ; Hollstein
Dutch 1016, Note : Vos ; The Illustrated Bartsch 386-1(2). Inscriptions /
Marques : marque de collection, au verso en bas à gauche, estampée : Lugt 240. Description
: Saint Meinrad d'Einsiedeln, ermite allemand du IXe siècle apr. J.-C. Il est
étendu sur le sol devant son ermitage. Son attribut, un corbeau apprivoisé, est
perché sur le toit de l'ermitage. À l'arrière-plan, un paysage montagneux
montrant, au loin, les deux brigands qui vont l'assassiner. Graveur : Johann
Sadeler (I) (nom mentionné sur l'objet) ; d'après un dessin de : Maerten de Vos
(nom mentionné sur l'objet) ; éditeur : Johann Sadeler (I) ; éditeur : Raphaël
Sadeler (I). Lieu de production : Munich. Date : 1594. Dimensions : coup de
planche : largeur 200 mm × hauteur 164 mm
Meinrad (ook Meginrad of Meino) van
Einsiedeln (ook van Reichenau), Zwitserland; kluizenaar & martelaar; † 861.
Feest 21 januari.
Meinrad werd tegen het
eind van de achtste eeuw geboren te Sülichgau in de buurt van Rottenburg
(Württemberg). Hij trok zich als priestermonnik terug op het
monnikenschiereiland Reichenau. Weer later zocht hij de stille eenzaamheid op
van het 'Finster' Wald' (= Donkere Bos) aan de Sihlsee. Daar leefde hij in een
kluizenaarswoning ('Einsiedelei').
Vele mensen wisten hem
daar te vinden. Ze ondernamen de reis naar hem toe om goede raad, inspiratie of
vergeving te verkrijgen. Zo kreeg hij eens - aldus het verhaal - bezoek van
twee onverlaten die meenden dat hij in zijn kluizenarijtje veel geld verborgen
hield. Was hij immers niet van aanzienlijke komaf? En al die schenkingen die
hij ontving van de pelgrims? Meinrad had, gastvrij en liefdevol als hij was, de
twee onthaald op voedsel en onderdak. Daar hadden ze misbruik van gemaakt door
hem de hersens in te slaan en vervolgens op zoek te gaan naar de vermeende
schatten. In het huisje was niets te vinden. Ook niet in het kapelletje
ernaast, waar de monnik elke dag de mis las.
Het enige wat ze
aantroffen, waren twee raven die Meinrad gezelschap hadden gehouden vanaf het
moment dat hij ze in een ijzige winter van de hongerdood had gered. Deze beide
dieren zetten het op een verschrikkelijk krijsen en stortten zich op de twee
moordenaars. Ze volgden ze waar ze op hun vlucht ook maar naar toe gingen: ze
wisten zelfs de herberg binnen te dringen waar de twee tenslotte een goed
heenkomen hadden gezocht. Zo werden ze gegrepen, en met de dood gestraft.
Verering & Cultuur
In 937 stichtte Benno van Metz († 940; feest 3 augustus) boven zijn kluis een
klooster, dat naar Meinrads kluizenaarswoning Einsiedeln werd genoemd.
Everardus werd de eerste abt († 958; feest 14 augustus).
Een legende weet nog te vertellen hoe de inwijding van de Meinradskapel en van
de kloosterkerk die aan Maria zou worden toegewijd, in zijn werk is gegaan.
In de dagen die aan de feestelijke wijding voorafgingen, hadden zich vele
gasten, pelgrims en kerkelijke hoogwaardigheidsbekleders ter plaatse verzameld.
Bisschop Konrad van Konstanz († 975; feest 26 november) kon in de
laatste nacht de slaap niet vatten en begaf zich midden in het pikkedonker naar
de kloosterkerk om er te bidden. Plotseling werd hij omgeven door een hemelse
liturgie. Christus zelf verscheen in bisschoppelijk ornaat, juist zoals hij
zelf, Konrad, morgen gekleed zou zijn voor de wijdingsplechtigheid. De vier
evangelisten assisteerden Hem, evenals Petrus en de grote Paus Gregorius: ze
gaven onze Heer mijter, staf en wijwaterkwast aan. Talloze andere heiligen
woonden de plechtigheid bij. Ook Maria was natuurlijk aanwezig. Tenslotte werd
de kerk aan haar toegewijd. Zij troonde boven het hoogaltaar. Engelen deden intussen
het werk van misdienaars en acolieten: ze zwaaiden met het wierookvat, droegen
toortsen, gaven de nodige antwoorden, musiceerden en zongen hemelse
misgezangen. Konrad neuriede mee.
Toen het schouwspel ten
einde was, raakte bisschop Konrad in verlegenheid. Nu de kapel door de Heer
Jezus zelf was ingewijd, kon hij dat morgen toch niet nog eens over doen?Hij
verkeerde zolang in tweestrijd, dat hij door de monniken tot spoed moest worden
gemaand. De openingsgezangen waren al aan de gang en de bisschop was nog niet
eens met de voorbereidingen begonnen...! Ze reikten hem zijn tabberd, mijter en
staf; ze droegen wijwater en wierookvat mee.
Plotseling klonk luid en
duidelijk dwars door de liturgische gezangen heen een stem van boven:
"Laat maar, broeders; het hoeft niet meer. De kapel is al ingewijd door
God zelf." Iedereen viel stil. Toen vertelde bisschop Konrad wat hij die
nacht had meegemaakt. Uit dankbaarheid voor dit grote wonder werd een prachtig
genadebeeld van Maria gemaakt en boven op het hoofdaltaar geplaatst, juist
zoals Konrad het had gezien. Jaarlijks komen er nog duizenden pelgrims naar
deze plek; en elk jaar wordt op de gedenkdag van dit wonder, 14 april, de
zogeheten 'engelenwijding' gevierd.
In 1039 werden Meinrads
relieken van Reichenau overgebracht naar Einsiedeln waardoor het nog meer
bedevaartgangers trok.
Hij geldt als patroon van Einsiedeln en omgeving.
Afgebeeld
Meinrad wordt afgebeeld in monnikspij; met een martelaarspalm; hij heeft vaak
brood en beker bij zich: symbool voor zijn gastvrijheid en naastenliefde.
Meestal is hij in gezelschap van één of twee raven.
[122; 127; 151p; 132:150; 175; 229; 500; Dries van den Akker s.j./2010.03.31]
© A. van den Akker
s.j. / A.W. Gerritsen
SOURCE : https://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/01/21/01-21-0861-meinrad.php
_-_Etzelpass2010-10-21_17-31-14.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original){kind=link}
_ShiftN.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original){kind=link}
_-_Etzelpass2010-10-21_17-31-14.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original){kind=link}
