I am grateful to have been invited by one of the Swiss Guards to witness his Pledge of Oath in service to the Holy Father.

The Oath is as follows:

I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff Francis 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!

One by one the new recruits, two of which are parishioners at my parish in Rome, the FSSP Parish, are called by name. Each one advances alone, and with his left hand he grasps the Guard’s standard, holding high his right hand with three fingers open, as a symbol of the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and he confirms his oath.

The patrons of the Swiss Guards are three: St. Martin of Tours, St. Sebastian, and St. Nicholas of Flue. Pray for us!

Words of Saint Nicholas of Flue are very fitting to the life and service of the Swiss Guard and for our own lives:

My Lord and my God, take from me everything that distances me from You. My Lord and my God, give me everything that brings me closer to you. My Lord and my God, detach me from myself to give my all to You.

Spoken of much at the ceremony was the devotion of the Swiss Guard to Our Lady through the Most Holy Rosary. This was quite inspiring and the necessity of this devotion was quite evident. On this First Saturday, devote yourself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She does not lead her children astray, if only we could learn to trust her…

Enjoy the amateur video of the ceremony. The one making the oath in the video is one of the guards from the parish.