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Daily
Life:
At this point we should take
a look at the normal
routine
of the
Guard's
day. Every day two
thirds
of the
staff are
engaged
in mounting guard at the
entrances
to the
Apostolic Palace. That
is in the
Courtyard of St. Damaso, the Belvedere
Courtyard, on the
floors
of the various
"Loggias",
in the
Sala Regia, in front
of the
Secretary of State
offices,
and also in front of the
entrance
to the Pope's private
apartment,
as well as at the
external entrances, which are
the Petrine Gate (formerly the Holy Office
gate) at the
Arch of the Bells,
the Bronze Door and the
St. Anna Gate. The Guard serves not only as a Guard of Honour but
also keep order every time the Pope
is in public,
that is for liturgical celebrations in St. Peter's Basilica, at the General Audiences, during visits to the Pope
by Heads
of States or Governments, Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors. However,
the day is not only given to these
official duties;
there is also
the life of the
Guard
itself,
that requires
a series of inspections,
briefings, marches
and shooting practice.
And of course
time must
be found for various
group activities:
the
band, drums, choir and last but not least,
sport:
soccer matches
against
other Vatican teams
such as the Vatican Security Corps,
table-tennis
and courses
in self-defence. With all this physical and
mental activity by relatively young men, it is obvious that
the Quarters
need a well run kitchen to provide for the
Guard
members
in the most suitable manner.
This task is admirably carried
out
by the Albertine Sisters, Servants of God.
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