Former Swiss Guard in Wisconsin recalls 'most wonderful experience'

Published: 2004-06-23

MILWAUKEE (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II's installation of 33 new Swiss Guard recruits this May brought back fond memories for a Wisconsin resident. It's been more than 50 years since Paul Good, 74, a member of St. Anthony on the Lake Parish in Pewaukee, wore the brightly colored baggy bloomers and tilted beret while standing guard at the Vatican, serving for Pope Pius XII. But he vividly remembers the two and a half years he spent as a Swiss Guard. Good is a native of Switzerland, as are all members of the Swiss Guard, which has been in existence for nearly 500 years. He finished high school at age 16 and went to agricultural college with plans to farm. Then, as required by the Swiss government, he reported for basic training at age 19. When the 16 weeks of training ended, he found out the Swiss Guard was hiring extra men in anticipation of the Holy Year in 1950, and he applied. Good met the requirements -- Swiss origin, Roman Catholic and 6 feet tall -- and became one of the 130 members of the squad.

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