34 NEW SWISS GUARDS SWORN IN ON HISTORIC DAY
In case you missed it, 34 new Swiss Guards were sworn in at the Vatican yesterday, May 6. I posted the Vatican’s link to the 90-minute event on X (formerly Twitter), and also gave a report on “At Home with Jim and Joy.”
May 6 is always a special day in Vatican City as it marks the traditional swearing-in of new Swiss Guards in a colorful, historical ceremony in the San Damaso courtyard in the presence of civil and religious officials from the Vatican and Switzerland, as well as family members and friends.
I’ve been to a number of these ceremonies and they are indeed memorable for pomp and circumstance, and for the emotional moment a recruit raises three fingers of his right hand in honor of the Trinity while their left hand rests on the flag of the Swiss Guard Corps. Each recruit recites the oath in one of Switzerland’s four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
A few images from a ceremony I attended – the “choreography” is the same every year:
In yesterday’s ceremony, 34 new Swiss Guards took that oath, bringing the Vatican corps to 135 members. The morning began with Mass for the new recruits in Saint Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. The Holy Father received the recruits, their family member and friends, in what is a traditional audience on May 6.
May 6 is the date of the ceremony as it marks the anniversary of the Sack of Rome in 1527 in which 189 Swiss Guards defended Pope Clement VII against the army of Charles V. Only 42 of the guards survived. As the guard’s website explains: “The day of the swearing- in ceremony is the high point in the life of each guard. When one swears on the Guard flag wearing the Gala uniform and the breastplate, a man swears loyalty for one’s whole life. Once a Swiss Guard – always a Swiss Guard.”
Recruits must be Swiss, male, single, Catholic, of “unblemished character,” have completed their Swiss military service, aged 19 to 30, 5’ 7” or taller and commit to serving the Pope for at least 26 months. They may marry after 5 years of service.
Their colorful uniforms, seen by visitors at all papal events and at the Sant’Anna entrance to Vatican City, may make them seem like an historical anachronism but they are not players on a stage. Their work is to protect the person of the pope and his legitimate successors as well as the Apostolic Palace, and they are trained in all kinds of weaponry. including the most modern anti-terrorism techniques. Recruits are also put through intense psychological tests to ensure they have the mental capacity to adapt to life as a Swiss Guard. Guards work in six-hour shifts, sometimes 12 on busy days. They earn about €1,200 -$1,300 a month.
Sunday at the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis greeted in particular the Pontifical Swiss Guard and their families present for Monday’s swearing-in ceremony of new recruits. He thanked them for their generous service and asked everyone in the square to applaud them.
IN BRIEF
Expert Consultation in Vatican demands dignified work – In an interview with Vatican News, Monsignor Robert Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), discusses how international experts participating in the Consultation in the Vatican, jointly sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will support rights and dignified conditions for workers, and will be an opportunity for effective social change. Expert Consultation in Vatican demands dignified work – Vatican News
#BeHuman: 30 Nobel Peace Prize laureates to attend human fraternity meeting – The second World Meeting on Human Fraternity, under the title #BeHuman, takes place on May 10-11 in Rome and Vatican City State and is organized by the Fratelli Tutti Foundation. Around 30 recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize will participate in the “Roundtable of Peace” and will release a “Charter of Humanity” on fraternal coexistence in this time of uncertainty and fear. #BeHuman: 30 Nobel Peace Prize laureates to attend human fraternity meeting – Vatican News
In May, Vatican to offer special Marian tour of Pope’s gardens – For the month of May, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Vatican Museums are offering a tour of the Pope’s gardens every Wednesday and Saturday dedicated to Marian spirituality. “In the Marian month,” explains Sister Emanuela Edwards, “on Wednesdays, pilgrims are invited to join us after the papal audience for an exceptional opening of the Gardens in honor of the Madonna. Additionally, on Saturday mornings, traditionally dedicated to Mary, visitors can take advantage of this pilgrimage tour.” Click here to make a reservation join one of these May tours. Families with children or people with sensory, motor, and intellectual disabilities can take advantage of a special service by emailing education.musei@scv.va In May, Vatican to offer special Marian tour of Pope’s gardens – Vatican News
Joan's Rome 