Swiss pastor follows in hermit's footsteps
A young pastor from St. Gallen in Eastern Switzerland has decided to spend three months living in the woods like the hermit Gallus did 1,400 years before.
Gallus was supposedly the city of St. Gallen’s founder. Legend has it that he used to live as a hermit in the woods where the cathedral now stands.
Now 28-year-old pastor Patrick Schwarzenbach has decided to sample a taste of this life for himself. He wants to disengage himself from everyday life in order to recognise what his real needs are, and has called his project Gallus 2.0.
He will spend the next three months living in the Steineggwald woods, equipped only with some tarpaulins, a gas cooker and some books, online news site 20 Minuten reported.
“Studying texts and spirituality are important for my trip,” he told the website.
Once a week, the young pastor will pick up food from St. Gallen, and spend the rest of the time collecting fire-wood.
Schwarzenbach is keeping a free house: whoever wants to may go and join him for meditation and discussion in the woods, although he asks people to bring their own food with them as well as a tent.
“I’m not bothered by the age and faith of my visitors, anyone can come,” he said.
You can find out more details on the German language website: www.gallus2punkt0.ch
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.