In an interview with Vatican News, 34-year-old Didier Grandjean recalls his journey from wearing the uniform of the Papal Swiss Guard to the Roman collar. His story is that of a man trained in combat who moved on to serve the Pope and the Church in a more spiritual way.
By Romano Pelosi and Francesco Bartolini
Didier Grandjean was born and raised in Fribourg (Switzerland) in a religious family, so his motivation to serve the Church was natural. After graduating from the Swiss Army Recruiting School, he served in the Pontifical Swiss Guard from 2011 to 2019.
At the age of 21, he began his journey as an official recruit and during his service he “often had contact with pilgrims” and was impressed by their deep faith.
It has proven to be a catalyst for his own personal “enlightenment,” he told Vatican News, so much so that he takes time to pray and reflect during his posts.
His service proved essential to his spiritual maturity, a fundamental quality required for the official passage onto the path of priestly vocation. It was a path to which he felt he belonged.
Support in entering the seminary
Despite his family’s religious devotion, their initial surprise at this change of course was to be expected.
However, the positive response and support from his relatives strengthened his determination and his trust in his religious destiny. “Go, this is your path,” was the message from Grandjean’s father before his death.
Grandjean in the studios of Vatican Radio
Connection between Vatican City and Swiss Guard Corps
Grandjean experienced a defining moment during the 2013 conclave, when he witnessed the majesty and symbolism of the Church and the devotion of Pope Francis.
The values he understood at that moment were similar to those of tradition and innovation, security and volunteer service, values that are at the core of both the Vatican City and the Pontifical Swiss Guard as institutions.
The values of service that unite the essence of both a Swiss Guard and a priest include discipline and camaraderie.
Grandjean is aware that it takes perseverance to work with unwavering devotion for others or a cause. He says, “Prayer is like a battle.”
Both in the Swiss Guard and as a seminarian, Grandjean is inspired by the title Servus servorum DeiServant of the Servants of God. He interprets this ancient papal title with the desire to commit himself selflessly and with great humility, without necessarily expecting anything in return.
Grandjean shakes hands with Pope Francis
Attachment crisis
The Freiburg seminarian emphasized the social aspect of existence as Servus servorum Dei, He recognizes the feeling of loneliness that comes from not being able to marry, but he said he has tried to find that familial feeling of love in his service to his fellow believers.
Grandjean expressed his concern about the ever-increasing “comfort society” in which secularization is more prevalent than ever and the importance of sacrifice and long-term commitment is decreasing not only in the priesthood but also in marriage.
He therefore urged people to have the courage to follow the path of faith and to find joy in it, because “Christ will always be at your side.”
Grandjean during his time as a Pontifical Swiss Guard
A message of hope
Despite the decreasing number of vocations to the priesthood or religious life, people still seek the advice of experienced priests and their presence gives them joy and guidance.
Grandjean concluded with a message that expressed the feelings he felt all those years ago in the Guards Corps.
The church and its officials must always be there for the people, he said, because “what you give up from your previous life will be returned to you a hundredfold.”
