By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting members of the Swiss Guard, including 34 new recruits, Pope Francis thanked them for their dedication and generous service protecting the pope every day.

He told them they stand out for their professionalism and their “kind, attentive, indeed scrupulous style,” during an audience at the Vatican May 6, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for the new guards later that day. Family members of the new recruits were also present at the audience.

The men have built “a positive and respectful atmosphere in the barracks,” the pope said, and they show great courtesy toward “superiors and guests, despite sometimes long periods of intense and strenuous service.”

Pope Francis encouraged them to continue to foster friendships and camaraderie.

Serving in the Swiss Guard, an enlistment that lasts at least two years, means it is “an important and formative time for you,” he said. “It is not just a period of work, but a time of living and relating, of intense fellowship in a diverse company.”

“I urge you to actively cultivate community life,” the pope said, asking them to reject the habit among many young people today of spending their free time online and alone.

“It is better to use your free time for activities with others, for getting to know Rome, for moments of fraternity in which you talk about yourselves and share, for sports,” he said.

“These experiences build you up from within and will accompany you throughout your life,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, celebrated Mass with the guards in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The colorful swearing-in ceremony of new recruits is held May 6 to mark the date in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards lost their lives defending Pope Clement VII in the Sack of Rome. Only 42 guards survived. Holding the ceremony on the anniversary is meant to remind new guards of the seriousness of their commitment.

New recruits pledge to “faithfully, loyally and honorably” serve and protect the pontiff and, if necessary, sacrifice their lives for him.

Today, the more than 130 Swiss soldiers are responsible for guarding all entrances into Vatican City State as well as keeping watch over the pope and his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. They also provide security and ceremonial services during liturgical events and visits of heads of state and other dignitaries to the Vatican.

A nonprofit organization is awarding creatives who affirm the highest values of the human spirit.

“The Christophers,” founded by Maryknoll priest Father James Keller, is rooted in service to God and humanity.

The awards were created in 1949, but since then, the people behind more than 1500 films, books, and TV programs have been recognized.

The 75th Annual Christopher Awards recently announced their winners.

Brooklyn author Torrey Maldonado was one of those creatives.

It’s actually Maldonado’s second time winning this prestigious award.

His most recent award-winning book is called “Hands.”

Maldonado joined Currents News to talk more about it.

One group is trying to give 1 million roses to Mary by the end of the month. 

The Christian social network Hozana Association launched the campaign, inviting Catholics worldwide to pray a decade of the Rosary every day. 

Imagine the collective power of one million people, each offering a decade of the Rosary daily and logging it on their app “Rosario.” Together, we can place one million roses at the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

The Hozana Association’s development manager, Cassandre Verhelst, explained the idea behind converting the prayers to flowers. 

Some 40,000 people are participating in the initiative, and you can join them.

Join us in this global prayer movement by downloading the user-friendly app ‘Rosario Pray the Rosary.’ 

It’s available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring inclusivity for all.

Priestly fathers from near and far met in the Diocese of Brooklyn on Thursday, May 2, for a day of prayer and discussion.

The non-incardinated priests are clergy from all over the world, such as Argentina and Romania, who serve parishes across Brooklyn and Queens but are not part of the diocese.

The 70 men, representing the non-incardinated priests, gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston for a crucial meeting. The aim was to ensure their paperwork was in order and to stay informed about the latest developments across Brooklyn and Queens.

The meeting also provided a platform for the priests to share their unique experiences of working in the diocese, which is home to a vibrant immigrant community.

The Diocese of Brooklyn currently has priests from 25 different countries serving parishioners.

The three top countries the clergy hail from include Nigeria, Haiti, and Ghana.

By Jessica Easthope

When Gerri Cassone heads out of Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Windsor Terrace and across the street to give communion to a homebound parishioner, it’s usually her first stop of many.

Then she’s off back to the church to pack and pack some more. As the director of the church’s food pantry, she makes deliveries to those who can’t pick their bags up.

“For 29 years, I am so blessed to have been part of this outreach program,” Cassone said.

The essentials are in the bags, but Cassone knows better than anyone what these people need beyond food. She used to be one of them.

“I remember having rice and raisins for dinner; they couldn’t afford to put meat on the table, so that was the best they could do,” Cassone said. “You could see the stress on my mother’s face because money was really low.”

For nearly 30 years, Cassone has run the very pantry her family was once a recipient of. As her life unfolded, she never forgot what it was like.

“One year, the bell rang, and it was the food pantry,” Cassone said. They came in with a basket of food, turkey and all. And I remember seeing the relief on my mother’s face. And it was the first time, one of the first times I really understood kindness.”

Today, the food pantry feeds hundreds yearly and helps sustain other local pantries. Cassone operates it the same way it was all those years ago, treating everyone she serves with dignity.

“They’ve had struggles throughout their life,” Cassone said. “Some of them have had addiction problems. So if I can just show someone a little love during the day, I’m going to do it.”

Her life has come full circle, and her deep faith has remained at its core.

“I live by the motto, the greatest exercise for the human heart is to reach down and lift someone,” Cassone said.

Eight years ago, when Cassone’s kidneys failed her, her son gave her a second chance.

“He said to me, ‘Ma, you gave me life; I’m going to give you life,'” Cassone said. “And I’ve been able to do eight additional years of service.”

She’s continued to see her life as a gift, one she never hesitates to share with others.

“I’m going to do it for as long as I can, and I know that God has a purpose,“ Cassone said. “There’s a reason I’m here.”

The need will always be there, so Cassone keeps packing. She knows she can only do so much. Someone else takes care of the rest.