‘At your word, I will cast the nets.’
Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends,
For years, we have identified with these words from Luke 5:5-7:
‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; but at your word, I will cast the nets.’ “
And when they had done this, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
On 11th October 2025, the day of the LUMEUM’s grand opening, this Word became flesh before our very eyes. What we have experienced since the opening exceeds anything we could have imagined. Mgr Bonnemain for the Catholic Church, Pastor Michaël Candrian for the Reformed Church of Obwalden and Pastor Andy Owen of the Evangelical Pentecostal Church of Lucerne were present to bless this place. A magnificent ecumenical sign, reflecting the message of peace of Nicolas and Dorothée.
The civil authorities were represented by Mr Hubert Schumacher, Member of the Swiss Federal Council. Mr Christian Schäli, President of the Department of Culture and Education of the Canton of Obwalden, said in his speech: “We are proud to welcome “Nicolas and Dorothée Alive” and the Lumeum to our canton. Brother Nicolas and Dorothée, whose influence remains exceptional, still embody fundamental values oriented towards peace today.” He emphasised that the thoughts, images and inner strength of Nicolas, advisor and peacemaker, continue to exert a profound influence far beyond the borders of Switzerland.
A vision born in silence
Paradoxically, it was Covid that gave us this unexpected gift: when all activity in the monastery came to a halt, a space for prayer opened up. In this enforced desert, the Lord planted a vision. My wife Anny and I initiated this project with the encouragement of our community leaders. They quickly gave their green light with these simple and confident words: ‘Go ahead, go for it!’ This bold response allowed us to transform a dream into a concrete project.
A crazy project becomes reality
Transforming the former swimming pool of the Bethanien monastery into a 360° immersive space telling the story of Nicolas de Flüe and Dorothée Wyss: who would have believed that such a project would ever see the light of day? Five years of hard work and €2,160,000 invested thanks to the support of so many helping hands – local authorities, foundations, parishes, entrepreneurs and individual donors. Finding the funds was a difficult and laborious process, but also one filled with moments of great joy and wonder at the workings of providence. ” Do not be afraid” was the phrase we meditated on every day. The Lord has acted. At first, the sisters and brothers of the house welcomed the project with caution and legitimate questions. But as they saw the seriousness of the undertaking and the concrete signs of the Lord’s action, they gradually rallied to the project.
During these years, some sixty volunteers gave their time and energy. The Ora et Labora sessions, the work during the exercises of St. Ignatius, the young people doing community service, members of our families and the commitment of brothers and sisters of the communion played a large part in the renovation work. Together, we prayed, in concert with the Dominican sisters of Bethany, that we might hear what the Lord wants for this place.
The fruit is there: 325 m² of projection, 100 original paintings by the artist Olivier Desvaux, brought to life with virtuosity by Abeille Brissaud, musical compositions by Joel von Moos, Nadja Räss, the Geschwistern Küng, Lauren Daigle and Marina Poydenot – a member of our community. A journey where history becomes tangible, where spirituality becomes a sensory experience that challenges us.
The miraculous catch: more than 2,500 visitors
Since opening, more than 2,500 people have passed through the doors of Bethanien and Lumeum. Families, school classes, groups of pilgrims, curious visitors aged 7 to 77 and beyond. They come to discover this new cultural and spiritual gem of Central Switzerland, a unique experience of its kind.
‘May the name of Jesus be your salvation!’ – Nicolas de Flüe’s customary greeting resonates today in the hearts of thousands of visitors. They leave touched by this 15th-century couple who speak so powerfully to our times: responsibility, family, societal upheaval, peace, daily consent, the joy of giving, strength drawn from prayer.
The nets are filling up. And like the disciples, we discover that the boat alone cannot contain all this abundance.
Bethanien is changing: a new mission is taking shape
This unexpected influx is transforming the very mission of Bethanien Monastery before our eyes. It is no longer just a place of spiritual retreat for a select few, but a lively crossroads where hundreds of seekers of meaning and peace come together.
The reception area where tickets are purchased has spontaneously become a meeting place. Literature on witnesses of universal peace is available there. Visitors stop, leaf through the pages, ask questions. Conversations arise. Our website www.lumeum.ch is now available in German, French, English, and soon Italian. The message crosses linguistic boundaries.
The catering area is growing, and we need to keep up with this growth. But more than just a question of stewardship, this is an opportunity: this place is becoming a natural meeting point where visitors can discover our retreats for couples, families and individuals – the whole range of activities offered by the Chemin Neuf Community.
Brothers and sisters, contemplate what the Lord is doing! He is not simply giving us numerical growth, but fertile ground for a fraternal, evangelising and fulfilling community life. What we are experiencing at Bethanien is not just a cultural success. It is a door opening onto a new form of mission: welcoming, inspiring and accompanying thousands of people who, touched by the beauty and depth of the LUMEUM experience, can then discover the living Christ in our communities.
We strongly believe that this is the Lord’s desire, not only for us, but for the whole of Switzerland and far beyond its borders.
Giving thanks and welcoming the unexpected
The harvest is plentiful. The boats are full to the brim. And like the disciples in Luke 5, we are called to signal to our ‘companions in the other boat’ to welcome this abundance together.
Let us give thanks for this miracle unfolding before our eyes. And let us ask the Lord for the grace to welcome with wisdom, joy and openness this new stage of the mission He has entrusted to us at Bethanien.
For the BethanienTeam
Silvère Lang
Practical information
LUMEUM – Bethanien Monastery.
Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m.)
Groups by appointment
