Friday, May 12, 2006
Bruder Klaus
Hi Lori! Here's what Magy(Barmettler)communicated to us regarding the Bruder Klaus story. It seems that BK was a bit older than his wife...he around 50 and she in her 30's. For some unexplained reason he decided to vacate his home(and family, he had several children--and here is where the stories differ). My understanding is that we're related to the wife...not one of the children, but who knows, it was a few years ago! Anyway, if you look in the pictures you see the house where he lived, then if you follow the path, it will take you to the place he retreated to...all told about 1/2 mile down the hill. He apparently stayed there for his remaining 20 years. Not sure why, but it seems he was serving so sort of self assigned penance. The story goes that he never ate, only drank...and plenty of it! The family visited apparently, but he never went back home. The pictures of the old room and bench is where he actually lived...using only the bench to sleep on a rock as his pillow. You can see where he had a small window where he would kneel and pray as he gazed down into a small chapel. The story goes that folks from all over would come to visit and seek Bruder Klaus' sound advice and even to the extent that he might even have the ability to grant wishes. Inside the door of this small room was a wall full of letters and plaques in thanks to Bruder Klaus for helping various folks through there time of need. Some were dated rather recently, others 100's of years old. These seem to coincide with the story you shared as well.
There was another Chapel located about 200 yards from this...habitated by another wouldbe priest or monk. They communicated but stayed in separate places. The little valley was such a serene place, quiet and peaceful, a very different feeling than other churches we visited.
Now, in the front of the Scheuber Family book there is this whole story as well as the same pictures of Bruder Klaus statue. If only one of our brilliant uncles would translate that story...we could know for sure!
We felt fortunate to be there...an amazing day.
Geoff
There was another Chapel located about 200 yards from this...habitated by another wouldbe priest or monk. They communicated but stayed in separate places. The little valley was such a serene place, quiet and peaceful, a very different feeling than other churches we visited.
Now, in the front of the Scheuber Family book there is this whole story as well as the same pictures of Bruder Klaus statue. If only one of our brilliant uncles would translate that story...we could know for sure!
We felt fortunate to be there...an amazing day.
Geoff
