Niklaus Wolf von Rippertschwand

Nicola Wolf led a life as a farmer, politician, and spiritual guide simultaneously. Well-versed in agricultural innovations, particularly in arboriculture, he became a respected advisor to the farmers of his region. Parallel to this, he was actively involved in the public and political life of his canton. Esteemed by his fellow citizens, he held various municipal and parish functions. In February 1798, he was elected as a representative of the people to the National Assembly tasked with drafting a new democratic constitution for the canton of Lucerne. In 1803, during the period of the "Mediation," he was elected to the Grand Council of Lucerne. However, deeply saddened by the adoption of laws contrary to the interests of religion and noting his powerlessness to influence this political trend marked by the rationalism of the Enlightenment, he chose to resign from the Grand Council. In 1804, Nicola experienced a decisive spiritual event: while suffering from a persistent physical ailment, he invoked the name of the Lord with intense faith to obtain his healing and was instantly relieved. This event definitively oriented the rest of his life toward the service of the sick and evangelization. He began to pray fervently for the suffering people who flocked to him, taught them how to pray, and practiced prayers of deliverance and exorcism in a private capacity. Numerous unexplained healings and profound conversions were then observed. He also founded weekly prayer groups, bringing together a growing number of men to pray for the intentions of the fatherland and the Church.

Nicola Wolf's activity as a spiritual healer initially aroused the suspicion of part of the local clergy, influenced by the prevailing rationalism. However, after meeting him personally, many priests offered him their support.

In 1815, faced with accusations and slander, the Apostolic Vicar General Franz Bernhard Göldlin formally forbade him to "bless and exorcise." Nicola obeyed this decision of the ecclesiastical authority immediately and without reservation. Touched by his exemplary submission, and at the urgent request of several priests, Vicar General Göldlin granted him written authorization the following year (1816) to resume his prayer ministry for the sick, under the supervision of local parish priests and in strict compliance with the role of the laity.

Nicola continued to exert a major spiritual and social influence. In particular, he encouraged the Grand Council of Lucerne to recall the Jesuits to ensure Christian education in schools.

In September 1832, while staying at the Cistercian monastery of Saint-Urbain (Sankt Urban) after an exhausting day spent welcoming and comforting people in distress, he suffered a stroke. He passed away peacefully in that same monastery on September 18, 1832.

The reputation of holiness of Nicola Wolf continued to grow after her death, and her tomb became a frequented place of pilgrimage. In 1952, her mortal remains were transferred to the crypt (lower church) of the parish church of Neuenkirch.

The cause for beatification was officially opened at the end of the 20th century: - The diocesan inquiry took place within the ecclesiastical curia of Basel (Switzerland) from November 14, 1997, to February 27, 1998. - The legal validity of this inquiry was recognized by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints by a decree on November 12, 1999. - The commission of historical consultants validated the file on November 22, 2005. - The congress of theological consultants gave a favorable opinion on May 5, 2015. - The ordinary session of cardinals and bishops confirmed the heroism of her virtues on November 17, 2015. - On December 14, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Nicola Wolf, thus conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

The spirituality of Nicola Wolf rests on an absolute trust in the power of the Name of Jesus and on a life of intense prayer, lived in the heart of the world. As a layman, husband, and father, he showed that a life of deep union with God and active charity was fully achievable within the framework of secular life and family and civic responsibilities.

His charism of healing was intimately linked to his concern for the salvation of souls: he did not seek only the physical relief of the sick, but prayed above all for their conversion, the gift of faith, and the liberation from every spiritual obstacle hindering the glorification of God.

Today, the foundation that bears his name (Niklaus Wolf Stiftung) oversees the promotion of his cause and the welcoming of pilgrims in Neuenkirch, where many faithful continue to come to pray at his tomb and participate in prayer vigils for the sick.