Sacrifice and the Swiss Guard

“We must sacrifice everything for everything: our ambitions, indeed our entire selves, for the cause of the Faith.” Pier Giorgio Frassati

I received a link from my European friends to the swearing in the of Swiss Guard on May 6th. It seems that the ceremony takes place on this date because that is the same date that Rome was sacked in 1527. The Swiss guards sacrificed their lives so that Pope Clement VII could escape through a passageway to Castel Sant’Angelo. The 147 lives lost was a dark day in the history of the Swiss guard, yet it was not the end. Many Romans suffered during the pillage as the mutinous soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire might have been influenced by Martin Luther’s ideas. The Sack of Rome as it came to be called was a horrific attack on the Catholic Church. The invaders committed atrocities in the Eternal City that seemed to end the Italian Renaissance. Pope Clement could only watch in horror. The few remaining Swiss guards stayed with the Pope and kept him safe.

Francis told them (the Swiss Guards) the faces of those they encounter every day, whether pilgrims or cardinals, are an invitation to “recognize and share God’s love for each one.” Catholic News Agency 2023

These are sacrifices that are made for Christ. I curiously read about Blessed Stefan Grelewski who was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Dachau. He covertly taught religion during the Polish occupation during World War II. He was deported to the camps, imprisoned, and tortured. He was starved to death. Where does someone get the courage? It would seem only through Christ. He gives the strength to endure such pain. No human would have the wherewithal to survive such horror. Countless saints have set examples. We need to be reminded of this sacrifice again and again, and I do not think it would be enough. A curious part of the induction ceremony of the Swiss Guard is prayer. Yes, they are trained mercenaries and fit soldiers. Yes, they can defend the pope. But they are instructed to pray also. Probably this is the best weapon. Their ceremony involves families, Vespers, Mass, and encouragement from the Vatican.

“Love Jesus, Love Him very much, but to do this; be ready to love sacrifice more.” St. Padre Pio

Sacrifice is not an easy word to hear anymore. We live in a society that does not hear that word. Why would we need to sacrifice? Because Christ sends us the cross, we can carry it, but he also sends us the help that we need. I think about that Swiss Guard ceremony video and article that my friends sent me from Europe. Only Swiss citizens can be part of the historic guard. They stand at the Vatican to defend the Papacy, but their role is much more. They defended the pope during some horrific attacks. In 1981 Swiss Guards were present during an assassination attempt on St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. There was a plainclothes guardsman who moved quickly to the assist the pope and became a hero. He was named commandant of the Swiss Guards in 1998. The Guards were an example which caught my eye this week. I needed to do some research about them. However, it encouraged me to a deeper understanding of the saints and how they have sacrificed for God. Are we ready to do the same?

“The saints did not become saints without many a sacrifice and many a struggle.” St. Jean Vianney