杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

May 6th is an important date in the life of the Pontifical Swiss Guards, since it marks the date when 147 of their predecessors were killed while protecting 杏MAP导航 Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527.

Each year on this day, new recruits swear an oath of allegiance and officially begin their service in the employ of the Holy Father.

杏MAP导航 Francis met with the Swiss Guards on Friday to celebrate with them what he called 鈥渁 beautiful occasion.鈥�

Embracing difficult trials in service to 杏MAP导航

In his address to the Guards and their families, the 杏MAP导航 extended his special greetings to the new recruits who will be sworn in at a ceremony later on Friday evening.

He said they are devoting a few years of their lives to 鈥渁 task which is both fascinating and full of responsibility in the heart of the universal Church.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 added that Swiss Guards serve with 鈥渟upreme dedication鈥� to ensure the 鈥渟ecurity of the 杏MAP导航 and of his residence.鈥�

Christian witness of community

杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the new recruits in their decision to embark on an 鈥渆xquisitely ecclesial task,鈥� which must be lived 鈥渁s a Christian and communal witness.鈥�

The Swiss Guards serve as a community and not individually, said the 杏MAP导航, urging them to embrace community life in every moment of their day.

鈥淟iving service in a community is a challenge,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ecause it involves bringing together individuals with different personalities, temperaments and sensibilities, who find themselves walking a stretch of road together.鈥�

Yet, added the 杏MAP导航, the Guards are motivated by the 鈥渋deal of serving the Church鈥�, which helps them face moments of difficulty when they arise.

Formation and discernment

The Holy Father also invited the new Swiss Guards to devote time to formation, and to allow themselves to grow as Christian men.

At the same time, the 杏MAP导航 called them to cultivate healthy friendships with their brother Guards, in a spirit of 鈥渟incere and fraternal dialogue.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis shakes hands with the Vice Commander

Pain for death of Swiss Guard

The 杏MAP导航 spoke off-the-cuff for a moment to recall a young Guardsman who died recently.

鈥淚 would like to pause for a moment in pain and sadness,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I would wish that your colleague Silvan Wolf were here present. Unfortunately, he has died, a good, joyful young man. An accident (鈥�颈苍肠颈诲别苍迟别鈥�: in Italian) took him away from us. In silence, let us recall Silvan and pray for him.

Gratitude for dedication

杏MAP导航 Francis wrapped up his speech by praising the Swiss Guards for their 鈥減unctual and precious collaboration,鈥� which he said he witnesses every day.

鈥淭he Holy See counts on you!鈥� he said. 鈥淰atican City is proud of your presence in its territory!鈥�

And the 杏MAP导航 entrusted the Guards to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, along with their patrons Sts. Martin and Sebastian.