Trip to the Swiss Guard Barracks!

Good morning folks!  Here's the first in a series of long overdue posts!  I apologize for the delay, but I've been working on ironing out some technical issues, in order to make it easier for me to update this blog. 

 

A couple of weeks ago, we were fortunate to be taken on a private tour of the Swiss Guard barracks, off to the side of St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican.  It was a rare treat as the post is not open to the general public.  So I thought I'd give you a photo tour instead! :)  We were able to tour the uniform tailoring shop, their chapel, where Polish sisters were praying, and most impressively, the armory.  Some of the ceremonial armor that the guards wear are over 500 years old!  Talk about taking good care of things!   It was awesome to see all the antique weapons. But in case you get any ideas, don't let their fancy uniforms fool you: these young men have been trained in modern weaponry and hand to hand combat, all in service to provide security for the Pope and one of the holiest shrines in Christendom, the Vatican hill, which contains the tomb of St. Peter, the Apostle, and the first Pope of the Catholic Church.   Let this tour remind us all of the spiritual battles we all face in following the will of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

God love you!