A historical society dedicated to promoting the memory of the Papal Zouaves. A unit of Catholic soldiers that defended the Papal States during the 9th Crusade.
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.
overthrew the Papal Government.
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.
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
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.
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.)
In his struggle against the enemies of the Church, Bl. Pope Pius IX drew light and strength from his devotion to Saint Michael: "Saint Michael is most capable of exterminating the accursed sects, daughters of Satan,
Despite their temporal defeat we must remember what our Lord said to St. Margaret Mary, a great champion of the Sacred Heart "I will reign despite my enemies and all those who would oppose it" Additionally we should remember what St. Bernadette wrote to Bl. Pius IX
Gaston was born on Nov. 25, 1846. He joined the P.Z. in Mar. 1866 and promoted to CPL in Jan. 1867. During the summer of 1867 a cholera outbreak spread across the Papal States and hit the town of Albano especially hard. His company was tasked with tending to the sick,
Pius IX upon hearing of Davis's mistreatment in prison sent him two photographs of himself, one includes the Bible verse Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all all ye who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest, sayeth the Lord" Pius IX had a previous relationship with
#2 Tomb of Papal States Army Commander and Minister of War General Herman Kanzler. Additionally, there are numerous other Papal Zouave graves throughout the cemetery.
The day after the siege of Sep. 20, Bl. Pius IX held one last formation to give his troops a final blessing before the military was disbanded and everyone was sent home.
assassination was carried out instead. 12 days later, Booth, the assassin, was tracked to a barn and was killed. 8 other conspirators were arrested and convicted. One alleged conspirator remained, John Surratt, he would eventually be found hiding among the Papal Zouaves.
Irish Papal Zouave (Franco-Belgian Battalion) Sub Lieutenant Nicolas Furey:
At a time when revolution threatened to erase the last remnant of Christendom, a thousand Irish volunteers—aristocrats and peasants alike—left their homeland to take up arms for the Holy Father. Fighting at Perugia, Spoleto, Castelfidardo, and Ancona, they stood in defiance
He quickly climbed the ranks, earning:
Born in 1772, La Rochejaquelein was an experienced soldier. He joined the Royal Polish Regiment, in 1787 and the Flanders regiment of chasseurs in 1789. In March 1792, he became an officer of the Constitutional Guard, they were charged with protecting King Louis XVI.
his desire for peace and prayers for them to work towards ending the Civil War.
The Prince of Peace, the Pontiff King,
Addressed to the College of Cardinals and Italian Episcopate the Pope condemned the growing sense of modernism in society. He especially focused on the Piedmontese government (United Italy) who was actively persecuting the Church.
Bl. Pope Pius IX declared that Gabriel Garcia Moreno "died a victim for the Faith and Christian Charity for his beloved country."