After the official creation of the Papal Zouaves on January 1, 1861. The 600 man battalion swore a solemn oath to defend the Papal States. The oath ceremony took place on January 10, 1861 at St. John Lateran in Rome.
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The Papal Zouave chaplain Fr. Daniel administered the oath to the Zouaves. He said to them
"So far you have committed yourself individually but today all together we want to solemnly swear fidelity to God, to His service, to the Church and her rights. To it's kingly head,
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temporal prince, spiritual head. We promise to defend his rights and die rather than abandon them cowardly. For my part gentleman in the presence of this battalion which I respect and love in the presence of God and the Church,
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I swear to remain always faithful to the Church, to her doctrine, and to her rights. I say this oath out of complete fidelity and devotion to serve you and for the salvation of your souls. Now I will hear your oath."
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The formula of the Papal Zouave solemn oath.
"I swear to Almighty God to be obedient and faithful to my sovereign, the Roman Pontiff, our very Holy Father, Pope Pius IX and his legitimate successors.
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I swear to serve him with honor and fidelity and to sacrifice my life for the defense of his august and sacred person, for the support of his sovereignty and for the maintenance of his rights.
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I swear not to belong to any civil or religious sect, to any secret society or corporation, whatever they might be, having for its direct or indirect goal to offend the Catholic religion and to corrupt society.
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I swear to not join any sect or society condemned by the decrees of the Roman Pontiffs.
I swear also to the very good and great God to not have any direct or indirect communication with the enemies, whoever they might be, of religion and the Roman Pontiffs.
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I swear all of this on the holy Gospel, so help me God. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, so be it"
Immediately after the oath was said the Officers raised their swords and arms were presented by the battalion. Thus the Church had new protectors
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Bl. Pope Pius IX,
Pray for us!
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Stained glass window in the Church of St. Philbert de Grand Lieu featuring General Louis de Lamoricière offering his sword to Bl. Pope Pius IX with Castel Sant'Angelo in the background🇻🇦
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He had been chosen by his cousin Minister of War Mgr. Xavier de Mérode (top left) to lead the Papal Army. He arrived in early April 1860 and pledged himself to the Holy Father.
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Gen. Georges de Pimodan (top right) was martyred during the Battle of Castelfidardo on Sep. 18, 1860.
On this day 176 years ago, July 3, 1849. The "Roman Republic" fell and the Papal States were restored🇻🇦🧵
On July 3, 1849. French Troops entered Rome and liberated the city from the revolutionary and masonic terrorists which forced Pope Pius IX to flee Rome and
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overthrew the Papal Government.
This story began years earlier with the election of Bl. Pope Pius IX in 1846. At first, he was seen as a liberal. He was willing to grant reforms in his governance of the Papal States that his predecessors were unwilling to do.
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However, when several revolutionary movements occurred in Europe in 1848 his reforms and progress seemed to slow and not enough to please the secret societies in the Papal States. This was exacerbated when Pius IX refused to assist the Italian Kingdoms to his North in a
During the 1860-1870 war to defend the Papal States, a humble nun from the visitation of Chambéry, Sister Marie-Marthe Chambon, lived united to the great events from which Rome suffered great persecutions.
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During the battle of Mentana, she had the revelation of the success of the pontifical troops. She urged Our Lord to cover the Pope with the protection of His Holy Wounds. Our Savior answered her by showing her that grace overflowed in Pius IX:
Day 21 of our daily reflection companion for the month of the Sacred Heart from the perspective of the Papal Zouaves🇻🇦🙏
This reflection can be found on the French website The Catholic Counter-Reformation.
June 21:
Bernard is a saint
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The King and Queen of Naples came to visit him. But what really consoled the Zouave was when unannounced, Pius IX entered his room to bless and encourage him! Before retiring, the Sovereign Pontiff laid his hand on the arm of his dear
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wounded man and made the sign of the Cross: “My friend, may the Good Lord bless you as I bless you.” The first hopes of recovery vanishing, the doctor decided to amputate the arm.
In September 1867, Garibaldi resumed the offensive. He decided to attack Monte-Rotondo, a small town located on a steep hill, north of Rome. The papal garrison was only 350 strong.
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However, after four successive assaults of the enemy, they broke through the fierce resistance of the Papal Zouaves. The incessant artillery fire, directed with great skill by Lieutenant de Quatrebarbes, wrought havoc among the Garibaldians.
Among the Zouaves were 250 French Canadians recruited by Bishop Bourget in 1868. They proudly displayed their white flag and their motto: "Aime Dieu et va ton chemin." (Love God and go your way.)
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Pope Pius IX granted them an audience in the Vatican Gardens, which they remembered all their lives:
“The Holy Father ascended the first steps of a portico and we formed a semicircle in front of him, he congratulated us on our devotion to the cause of the Church,