The Stolen Host that Bloomed Like a Flower: The Miracle of Ettiswil

The Eucharistic Miracle at Ettiswil

In the small village of Ettiswil, Switzerland, a remarkable event took place in 1447 that left an indelible mark on the community and the Catholic Church. This event, later recognized as a Eucharistic miracle, involved the theft and miraculous recovery of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Theft of the Sacred Host

On May 23, 1447, Anna Vögtli, a member of a satanic sect from Bischoffingen, managed to steal the pyx containing the large Host from the parish church in Ettiswil. Anna confessed that after slipping her hand through a narrow iron gate, she grabbed the Host. However, as soon as she left the cemetery, the Host became so heavy that she could no longer carry it. Struggling to move forward or return, she eventually threw the Host near a fence in a patch of nettles.

The Miraculous Discovery

The next day, a young swineherd named Margaret Schulmeister was tending her pigs near the area where the Host had been discarded. To her surprise, the pigs refused to move further. Concerned, she sought the help of two men passing by on horseback. Upon investigation, they discovered the Host divided into seven sections, with six of them forming a flower-like shape, surrounded by a brilliant light.

The Return to the Church

When the local parish priest was informed of the discovery, he immediately gathered the parishioners and went to the site to retrieve the Host. While he was able to pick up the six outer sections, the central piece mysteriously stuck to the ground, refusing to be lifted. This phenomenon was interpreted as a divine sign, leading to the decision to build a chapel at the exact location where the Host had been found.

The Consecration of the Chapel

The chapel, dedicated to this miraculous event, was built on the spot where the Host had miraculously appeared. The six sections of the Host were placed in the parish church of Ettiswil, becoming objects of great veneration by both locals and pilgrims from afar. Many miracles were reported at the site, further solidifying its status as a place of deep spiritual significance.

The chapel and its altar were consecrated on December 28, 1448, just over a year and a half after the events. Since then, the chapel has been a site of pilgrimage, with the great feast of the miracle’s chapel celebrated annually on Laetare Sunday and the two following days.

Documentation and Legacy

The most important document recounting this miracle is the "Protocol of Justice," compiled on July 16, 1447, by Hermann von Russeg, Lord of Buron. This document provides a detailed account of the events, including Anna Vögtli's confession and the miraculous discovery of the Host by Margaret Schulmeister.

Over the centuries, many Popes have granted indulgences to visitors of the shrine, recognizing the significance of the miracle and the devotion of those who come to honor it. Today, the shrine at Ettiswil remains a powerful testament to the faith and the miraculous events of 1447.