Pope Francis says "Jesus revealed and testified to us that God is love, he is a relationship in himself, and in this mystery we find the goal..." to the Swiss Guard - FULL TEXT
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SPEECH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD CORPS
Monday, May 6, 2024
________________________________________
Dear members and families of the Swiss Guard,
illustrious authorities,
dear brothers and sisters, dear children, good morning and welcome everyone!
I greet the Commander, the Officers and all the members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, together with the family members who have come for the celebration. I greet the civil and military authorities with gratitude.
This day is always awaited and welcome for me, because it offers me the opportunity to publicly express my "thank you" for the presence and service of the Swiss Guard. First of all for the presence: a presence that stands out for its quality, for its kind, attentive, indeed scrupulous style. And of course then for the daily service, always generous and diligent.
My gratitude also affectionately extends to the families of these young people, because, if they are here, and if they are well educated, it is first and foremost due to the environment in which they grew up.
I express my heartfelt appreciation to the Commander, Mr. Christoph Graf, and to his collaborators, among whom I particularly thank the Chaplain, a good Benedictine!
Dear Guards, I am happy because your Superiors have told me several positive aspects, which I like to share at this moment.
Among you there is an excellent esprit de corps, a positive and respectful atmosphere in the barracks, a courteous behavior towards Superiors and guests, despite sometimes even long periods of intense and tiring service, due to the fact that you are numerically a a little below the actual. You demonstrate a high level of motivation and willingness to serve, and also – this makes me very happy – good relationships between you: you go on excursions together, spend your holidays together, often go out together. And this is very beautiful!
In fact, the relationship is the key experience for us Christians: Jesus revealed and testified to us that God is love, he is a relationship in himself, and in this mystery we find the goal and fulfillment of our existence. Good relationships are the main path for our human and Christian growth and maturation. Much of what characterizes our personality we have learned through relationships with parents, brothers and sisters, schoolmates, teachers, friends, work colleagues, and so on.
This is why life in the extended Swiss Guard family, for at least two years of service, is such an important and formative time for you. It is not just a period of work, but a time of life and relationships, of intense communion in a diversified company. This diversity and intensity of community and relationships between you in your daily environment of the barracks constitutes an essential and qualifying aspect for you.
From this perspective, the new barracks, currently in the planning phase, should make an important contribution to the reunification of the Guards and their families, who are currently forced to live somewhat dispersed due to lack of space, and thus also to the support and strengthening this bond and the sense of family within the Corps.
Still on the subject of the relational dimension, I urge you to actively cultivate community life. Today the habit of spending free time alone with the computer or mobile phone is widespread among young people. Therefore I also say to you, young Guards: go against the current! Please go against the grain! It is better to use free time for common activities, to get to know Rome, for moments of brotherhood in which to tell stories and share, for sport... These experiences build inside you and will accompany you for your whole life.
Dear ones, I wish you a happy celebration and I entrust you to the protection of the Virgin Mary and your patron saints. I know you pray for me, I know: I thank you so much and I ask you to please continue to do so. Thank you all!
TO THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD CORPS
Monday, May 6, 2024
________________________________________
Dear members and families of the Swiss Guard,
illustrious authorities,
dear brothers and sisters, dear children, good morning and welcome everyone!
I greet the Commander, the Officers and all the members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, together with the family members who have come for the celebration. I greet the civil and military authorities with gratitude.
This day is always awaited and welcome for me, because it offers me the opportunity to publicly express my "thank you" for the presence and service of the Swiss Guard. First of all for the presence: a presence that stands out for its quality, for its kind, attentive, indeed scrupulous style. And of course then for the daily service, always generous and diligent.
My gratitude also affectionately extends to the families of these young people, because, if they are here, and if they are well educated, it is first and foremost due to the environment in which they grew up.
I express my heartfelt appreciation to the Commander, Mr. Christoph Graf, and to his collaborators, among whom I particularly thank the Chaplain, a good Benedictine!
Dear Guards, I am happy because your Superiors have told me several positive aspects, which I like to share at this moment.
Among you there is an excellent esprit de corps, a positive and respectful atmosphere in the barracks, a courteous behavior towards Superiors and guests, despite sometimes even long periods of intense and tiring service, due to the fact that you are numerically a a little below the actual. You demonstrate a high level of motivation and willingness to serve, and also – this makes me very happy – good relationships between you: you go on excursions together, spend your holidays together, often go out together. And this is very beautiful!
In fact, the relationship is the key experience for us Christians: Jesus revealed and testified to us that God is love, he is a relationship in himself, and in this mystery we find the goal and fulfillment of our existence. Good relationships are the main path for our human and Christian growth and maturation. Much of what characterizes our personality we have learned through relationships with parents, brothers and sisters, schoolmates, teachers, friends, work colleagues, and so on.
This is why life in the extended Swiss Guard family, for at least two years of service, is such an important and formative time for you. It is not just a period of work, but a time of life and relationships, of intense communion in a diversified company. This diversity and intensity of community and relationships between you in your daily environment of the barracks constitutes an essential and qualifying aspect for you.
From this perspective, the new barracks, currently in the planning phase, should make an important contribution to the reunification of the Guards and their families, who are currently forced to live somewhat dispersed due to lack of space, and thus also to the support and strengthening this bond and the sense of family within the Corps.
Still on the subject of the relational dimension, I urge you to actively cultivate community life. Today the habit of spending free time alone with the computer or mobile phone is widespread among young people. Therefore I also say to you, young Guards: go against the current! Please go against the grain! It is better to use free time for common activities, to get to know Rome, for moments of brotherhood in which to tell stories and share, for sport... These experiences build inside you and will accompany you for your whole life.
Dear ones, I wish you a happy celebration and I entrust you to the protection of the Virgin Mary and your patron saints. I know you pray for me, I know: I thank you so much and I ask you to please continue to do so. Thank you all!
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