Swiss Guard member shares stories of sacrifice and service with diocesan ministries and schools
Swiss Guard Renato Peter leads a talk for Guardian ministers from across the Diocese of Fort Worth on Sept. 19, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Keller. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Duty. Honor. Sacrifice. These words are often attributed to soldiers who pursue a call to serve their country. Members of the elite military unit known as the Pontifical Swiss Guard understand this well. For them, there is also a deeper spiritual element at work that reflects their devotion to Christ and His Church.
Renato Peter, 24, is a member of the Swiss Guard who recently made his first visit to the United States through the invitation of Bishop Michael Olson. While here, Peter visited several groups around the diocese including the Fort Worth Diocesan Guardian Ministry, the Diocesan Young Adult Ministry, and students from Nolan Catholic High School, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, St. George Catholic School, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School.
Service and sacrifice
On September 21, Peter spoke to 250 young adults at a dinner banquet following Mass. In his homily, Bishop Olson reminded the faithful that “being great means being the servant to others and seeing them as more important than ourselves.” Peter echoed these remarks during his presentation when he acknowledged this path was “a way to give back to God and His church.” As a result of choosing service and sacrifice, he said his prayer life and his faith have grown.
Peter admitted the decision to join the Swiss Guard was hard, mostly due to the relationships he left behind in Lienz, Switzerland. However, his motivation to follow the Lord’s call was stronger. “For me, it was not just a career move, but a firm step in my life and faith and a way to give back to God and His church by serving,” said Peter. “The Swiss Guard is more than a military unit. It is a living testament of the Catholic Church. It has deepened my relationship with Jesus Christ, making service to the Church a true vocation.”
Peter said it is not always easy to serve as a Swiss Guard. For example, last Christmas, when he was away from his family for the first time, Pope Francis asked how he felt about not being home. The pontiff then thanked Peter for his service, and it was a moment he will always remember. “It is an honor to talk with and be with him,” he said.
Peter noted there are currently 110 active Swiss Guards and said the goal is to reach 135. Guardsmen serve a two-year contract with an option to continue if they choose. Applicants must meet specific requirements: unmarried, male Swiss citizens who are at least 5 feet 8 inches tall, graduated from high school, completed basic training with the Swiss Army, and Catholic.
After the presentation, Peter took questions and stayed for pictures. Samuel Garcia, a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, said his biggest takeaway from Peter’s talk was “the need to obey God’s plan for you despite how difficult it could be at the times and recognize our obligation toward the plan God has.”
Duty and discipline
On September 19, Peter addressed 200 members of the Fort Worth Diocesan Guardian Ministry during an appreciation dinner hosted by Bishop Olson at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
He spoke about the rich history of the Swiss Guard, one of the oldest military corps in the world, describing it as “an important link to the past” and noted its relevancy today as “a living tradition, playing a modern role at the heart of Catholic Church.”
Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is an armed force and honor guard unit maintained by the Holy See to protect the pope and the Vatican City State. One of the most important events in their history was the Sack of Rome, a battle on May 6, 1527 during which nearly 150 Swiss Guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII. For that reason, new guardsmen are sworn in every year on May 6 during an elaborate, solemn ceremony.
“The daily life of a Swiss Guard is guided by discipline, duty, and education,” Peter said. Ongoing education and continuous skills training are required to maintain a high level of professionalism and readiness to protect the pope and keep the Vatican secure. Toward that end, the Swiss Guard works closely with the Vatican police and the Italian military.
When asked about the armaments of Swiss Guards, Peter said their 16th century weaponry such as halberds and longswords are primarily used during formal ceremonies. They also utilize modern-day rifles and pistols. In addition to firearms, guards are trained in unarmed combat techniques like martial arts. Because the pontiff is often surrounded by masses of people, they try to first engage verbally with an antagonist followed by the use their hands. Weapons are a last resort to ensure innocent bystanders are not harmed.
In addition to their constant proximity to the pope and centuries-old weaponry, the Swiss Guard is well known for its largely unchanged formal uniforms that feature a Renaissance-era style with stripes of royal blue, red, and yellow. Peter said they also have two other professional uniforms, one for technical training and one for practical service.
Mike Short, Director of Security for the Diocese of Fort Worth, said attendees gained a greater understanding of the history, mission, and current status of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican. “They all loved Mr. Peter’s presentation and how the mission of the Swiss Guard aligns with that of the Guardian Ministry,” he said.