His service proved to be essential for his spiritual maturity, a fundamental characteristic needed to officially transition along the path of priestly vocation.
It was a path to which he felt he belonged. Nevertheless, the consequent positive response and support from his loved ones further spurred on his determination and confidence towards his religious destiny. Grandjean experienced a pivotal moment during the conclave, witnessing the grandeur and symbolism of the Church, as well as the dedication of Pope Francis.
The values he understood in this moment resembled those of tradition and innovation, security and honorary service, values that lie at the core of both the Vatican City State and the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps as institutions. Among the value of service that bridges both the essence of being a Swiss Guard and a priest is that of discipline and camaraderie. He interprets this ancient papal title with a desire to commit himself selflessly with great humility, without necessarily expecting anything in return.
The Fribourg seminarian noted the social aspect of being a Servus servorum Dei, recognising the feeling of loneliness in being unable to marry. However, he said he has sought to find this familial feeling of love in his service to fellow believers. Regardless of the decreasing number of priestly or religious vocations, people still seek the advice of experienced priests and their presence gives them joy and direction. Grandjean concluded with a message that encompasses the sentiment he felt all those years ago in the Guard Corps.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here. Tempo di minuetto. In an interview with Vatican News, year-old Didier Grandjean recalls his journey from wearing the uniform of the Pontifical Swiss Guard to the Roman collar.
