杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis received in audience the Swiss Guards on Saturday as they prepare for the traditional swearing-in ceremony of the new recruits which takes place every year on May 6.  

The day marks the anniversary of the heroic sacrifice of 147 Swiss guards who died during the Sack of Rome in 1527 as they protected 杏MAP导航 Clement VII.

Extending his greetings to the Commander of the Swiss Guards, Colonel Christoph Graf, the Chaplain, Fr Kolumban Reichlin, all the Officers and other members of the Corps, 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledged, in particular, the 23 new recruits who will swear in this afternoon at the Courtyard of Saint Damasus in the Vatican, with their families.

杏MAP导航 with the Swiss Guards in the Clementine Hall in the vatican

A big family

Noting that the Pontifical Swiss Guard 鈥渋s a large family鈥�, in which  鈥測oung people are enriched by the experience of older people who, in turn, can be edified and learn from the openness of young people鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 invited the new recruits 鈥渘ot lose the courage and passion to discover new things鈥�.

Faith and service to the 杏MAP导航

He further encouraged them to make 鈥済ood use of the time鈥� of service at the Vatican to deepen and put into practice the Catholic faith they have received from their families, through reading the Scriptures, meditating on spiritual texts , participating  the Sunday Eucharist and taking the Sacraments.

鈥淓very situation, every meeting can represent an opportunity to put the Gospel of Christ into practice, to learn from him and to live fraternal love in his name and with his Spirit鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said.

Unwavering gratitude

Concluding, the Holy Father renewed his gratitude to the entire Corps for its 鈥渄iligent and generous collaboration鈥� and entrusted all those present and the Swiss people to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary and the Patron Saint Nicholas of Flüe.