Vatican City, Mar 1, 2010 / 09:48 am
During last week's lull in public events and audiences at the Vatican due to the annual Lenten retreat, the Swiss Guard and other Vatican security staff also participated in retreats.
In a retreat center near the Pope's summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, three sessions lasting three days each were offered to give the Swiss Guards and new recruits an opportunity to rotate out for meditations.
Monsignor Alain de Raemy, chaplain of the Swiss Guard, told CNA that the retreats were divided into squads and that reflections were tailored to the languages of the guards.
Each of the three retreats was given in at least two languages, he said, "so it's a little complicated." All Swiss Guards took part in these sessions.