Attackers are repulsed in confusion.
Posted on 01/20/2006 6:16:10 AM PST by lunarbicep
They are known as the "Defenders of the Church" and this weekend the Vatican Swiss Guard will celebrate 500 years of service.
In that time they have protected 42 successive popes, although more recently the Vatican has been guarded by Italian security forces and plainclothes police. But personal safety of the pope is still the guards' full responsibility.
The guards first arrived in Rome on 22 January 1506. At that time, Helvetian soldiers were employed as mercenaries, renowned for their courage and their loyalty.
There were many famous battles, but their most notable hour came in 1527, during the sack of Rome. Almost the entire guard was massacred by troops of the Holy Roman emperor Charles V on the steps of St Peter's Basilica.
Of 189 guards on duty only 42 survived, but their bravery ensured that Clement VII escaped to safety, down the "passeto", a secret corridor which still links the Vatican to Castel Sant' Angelo.
Swiss elite
Popular myth says the traditional yellow, blue and red uniforms the guards wear - the colours of the Medici - were designed by Michelangelo. But in truth they are only 100 years old and were designed in 1905 by a Swiss Guard Commander.
The weapons they carry were first introduced by the early Swiss armies in the 14th Century. It is an axe, known as the halberd, mounted on a long shaft with a spike at the end. When travelling with the pope, the uniforms and the halberd are left behind.
The Halberdiers protect the main entrances to the papal palace and the papal apartments. During the conclave they were also on guard at the doors of the Sistine Chapel while Benedict XVI was being selected as the new pope.
Currently, there are 110 guards and their numbers are limited by law.
The guard says it gets three times as many applicants as there are openings ever year. Applicants must be Swiss Catholics, have finished basic training in the Swiss army and be at least 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall. Minimum enrolment is two years.
Murder
The guards' worst moment came in 1998 when the new commander, Alois Estermann, and his wife were found dead in their apartment.
The man who killed the couple, and later himself, was a disgruntled young corporal annoyed at being overlooked for a medal.
In 1981, as a young captain, Estermann had tried to protect John Paul from a Turkish would-be assassin. When the shots rang out he jumped into the pope's vehicle to shield his body but the pope had already been seriously wounded.
Veterans of the guard will take part in the 500th anniversary celebrations. Official ceremonies began in September with a mass and rally of veterans in Lucerne, in central Switzerland.
But the main event will be a march to Rome, from Bellinzona in southern Switzerland, by around 80 veterans, to recall the march of the original 200 in 1505.
Then, on 6 May, the anniversary of the Sack of Rome, the latest round of fresh recruits will be sworn in.
Attackers are repulsed in confusion.
Catolic meta-PING
They are nice looking young men. When I was at the Vatican last spring, it was funny watching female tourists trying to engage them in conversation so that they could get friends to snap their picture with them. For all their youthful and strong good looks, I suspect that they are ready to defend the Vatican. It was the most secured location we visited in Italy. And for good reason!
They look great for their age, don't they? How do they do it?
"Then, on 6 May, the anniversary of the Sack of Rome,"
Which Sacking was that? Rome was sacked several times before falling in 476 AD.
If these Swiss guys are as tough in reality as they are in the game "Medieval - Total War", then they are a force to be reckoned with!
" It was the most secured location we visited in Italy. And for good reason!"
Yep. LOTS of gold there!
hahaha
There is a date in the history of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican, that is closely linked with the history of the Church herself, because it was a day marked by the blood of 147 of her sons: May 6th, 1527, the Sack of Rome. This date, which in 1527 was a day of death, today, is a day of life, because each year on this day, the new recruits take their solemn oath of loyalty. It is a most moving ceremony which takes place in the historic St. Damaso Courtyard within the Vatican City, in the presence of religious personalities, political and military representatives of the Swiss Confederation and many relatives, friends and admirers of the Guard. The Guard, from the Commandant down to the newest Halberdier, is in full dress-uniform, a marvellous sight. The band with its superb drummers is warmly applauded. The Chaplain, Msgr Alois Jehle, gives a solemn reading of the oath:
"I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honourably serve the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them. I assume this same commitment with regard to the Sacred College of Cardinals whenever the See is vacant.
Furthermore I promise to the Commanding Captain and my other superiors, respect, fidelity and obedience. This I swear! May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!"
Then one by one the new recruits are called by name. Each one advances alone, and with his left hand he grasps the Guarïs standard, holding high his right hand with three fingers open, as a symbol of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he confirms the oath:
"I, . . ., swear I will observe faithfully, loyally and honourably all that has now been read out to me! May God and his saints assist me!"
These saints included especially the Guard's Patrons, St. Martin (November 11th), St. Sebastian (January 20th), and St. Niklaus von Flüe, "Defensor Pacis et pater patriae" (September 25th).
Ahhhh..thanks Pyro!
Thank you for the history lesson!
Can we get a nice graphic of a Swiss Army Knife?
A group of thirty three recruits of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march before their swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican in this May 6, 2004 file photo. Months of celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the elite corps, which is charged with the protection of the Pope and Vatican, will begin on Sunday. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File
Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Wow. Very interesting.
God bless these brave protectors of the Pope. May He grant them grace, charity and resolve.
Today is the feast day of St. Sebastian.
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