In these photos is the uniform of the Colonel Commander of the Palatine Guard. The Palatine Guard walked in papal processions as a guard of honor, enhancing the splendor of the liturgical services of the Roman Pontiffs. The members of the Guard were volunteers, Roman men of common stock who offered this services to the Holy Father. The carbine rifles they carried are today kept in the basement of the Swiss Guard barracks. Their motto was FIDE CONSTAMUS AVITA.
The nineteenth century uniforms of the guardsmen were frozen in time from the period of their creation in 1850 as a military unit under the reign of Pius IX. These brave men heroically guarded the Piazza San Pietro during the Nazi occupation of Rome as well as Castle Gandolfo during the horrific bombings there, when the Propaganda Fide building was destroyed and even the Papal Summer Villa was damaged significantly, with bombs dropping just outside the papal bedroom window.
The Guard also had their own military band. Unfortunately they were abolished in 1970 with a letter from the office of the Papal Secretary of State as part of Pope Paul VI's massive overhaul in a feeble attempt to make all things modern and simple. I desire one day the Guard will make a return and replace the Vigilanza. Catholics have a tradition of military orders and membership in the Guard was a way of getting local men involved by giving them the opportunity to be a part of something great. In a spirit of healing after an injustice, the Guard was transformed in 1971 into a volunteer club of civil service.
Below are images of the attractive uniform, composed of a dark blue wood jacket with amaranth colored hand guards decorated with elegant "frogs." The pants are lighter blue with suspenders. The waistband had the papal colors, yellow and white. The coat had a golden threaded cord along with metallic bullion epaulette shoulder pads with gold fringe. Not to mention the representative sword and belt. That hat is called a kepi.
A uniform so richly endowed inspires both the wearer and he who sees it. Indeed, wearers of this uniform have long esteemed themselves blessed. They are inspired to greatness. It speaks of courtesy, one of the attributes of God, for courtesy is the sister of charity. Further, it humbles the proud and exalts the humble, specifically because it takes an act of humility to wear it. It is formal dress, thus raising the wearer to a higher state of mind and responsibility. It is symbolic of celestial and eternal riches. Also, the sword is a blessed object. Altogether, a tour de force of impressive raiment and elegance.
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