Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Einsiedeln
During his lifetime, Brother Meinrad was a proud member of the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln. He was grateful for his vocation as a Benedictine monk at a Marian shrine. So, what is the history of Brother Meinrad’s home and its current life?
As the most important Marian shrine in Switzerland, and the home of a vital monastic community following the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Abbey of Our Lady of Einsiedeln welcomes pilgrims and tourists alike from Switzerland and around the world.
Located in a town on the foothills of the Alps not far from Zurich, the abbey is renowned for the famous black Madonna, its rich liturgical life and unique baroque architecture and art. The 40 monks teach at the Abbey School with about 400 students, serve in several parishes, are available for the spiritual needs of the pilgrims and work in different tasks on the abbey grounds.
The Holy Chapel
The history of the abbey dates back to 934, when a monastic community was founded at the place, where the hermit Saint Meinrad died as martyr in 861. The pilgrimage to Our Lady and her miraculously dedicated Chapel developed in the subsequent centuries and attracted people from all over Europe. Pilgrims from all over Europe came to Einsiedeln as one of the most popular Marian shrines – long before Lourdes or Fatima. The faithful wanted to pray at the very place which was sanctified by Christ himself when – according to the medieval legend – he consecrated the Holy Chapel assisted by Angels and Saints in honor of his Mother Mary during a celestial liturgy in the night before September 14, 948.
The famous statue of the blessed Virgin Mary and her son Jesus Christ in the chapel of Our Lady close to the main entrance of the abbey church was carved in the 15th century and is venerated by the pilgrims inside the Holy Chapel.
In 1704, the cut of the spade for the current baroque buildings of the abbey was taken. The magnificent baroque abbey church was consecrated in 1735. In 1798, the abbey was closed by French soldiers and the monks had to flee to Austria and Germany. They could return to their home only a few years later. Fortunately, they could save the miraculous statue in an adventurous journey through Switzerland, Italy and Austria. While the community was in exile, the soldiers destroyed the Chapel of Our Lady, which was rebuilt in a classicistic style in 1817.
The Grave of Brother Meinrad
As with all the monks of Benedictine Abbey Maria Einsiedeln, Brother Meinrad was laid to rest in the Crypt below the “Christmas Cupola” inside the Abbey Church. Two days after his passing the Requiem Mass, followed by his burial, took place on June 16th, 1925. But the peace of that final resting place was not to last for long. The reputation of his sanctity and the desire of the faithful led Abbot Ignatius Staub already in 1939 to set the Beatification Process into motion.
During this process, his grave was opened and his remains were examined on September 18th, 1941. Since then, his grave is relocated on the south side of the Chapel of Grace, near the entrance of the Abbey Church of Maria Einsiedeln.
The following words are etched into his gravestone: “Here rests in Christ the Servant of God, Brother Meinrad Eugster, 1848- 1925.”
The illuminated image is an enlarged copy of an original photo of Brother Meinrad, which reminds of the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the world. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
The Brother Meinrad Room
The room dedicated to the memory of Brother Meinrad is located in the guest wing of the Abbey and can be viewed on special occasions. It contains the actual furniture from his cell, including the recliner in which he went to his eternal sleep in the evening hours of June 14th, 1925.
His original cell, which was inside the cloister where the monks live, and is therefore not accessible to the public, does not exist any longer. It was torn down to make room for the Abbey’s switchboard some years after his passing away. But the replica in the guest tract offers a very good view of the simple and humble cell this Venerable Servant of God occupied.
The Brother Meinrad Room contains a bed, a dresser, two closets and a writing table, all of which are painted in the classic turquois color favored at the beginning of the 20th century, and were typical of the cells for all the monks. There is also an impressive crucifix along with a Marian image, and a reliquary, all of which speak of his tremendous devotion to his Redeemer and the Mother of God, as well as to the Saints.
Exhibition
On occasion of the centennial year of the passing of Brother Meinrad 2025 an exhibition in the guest wing of the Abbey was created. The exhibit contains articles and some of his belongings and tools he used in his daily work, along with other memorabilia of his cloistered life as a benedictine monk.
The exhibition will be open also in 2026 because of the great interest of the public. Unfortunately, the texts of the exhibition are in German, but the many items to be seen speak an universal language.
The Brother-Meinrad-Room and the exhibition are accessible through the entrance of the guest tract, and located on the mezzanine floor.
Sundays and Feast Days from 10:30 AM- 7:00 PM
Mondays- Saturdays from 8.00 AM – 7:00 PM
There is no charge for the exhibition, but donations will be gratefully accepted, as they will assist with the Beatification Process for Brother Meinrad.