Formerly a member of the Swiss Guard in Vatican City, Didier Grandjean is now pursuing the priesthood, highlighting the deep connections between faith and a life devoted to God. Growing up in a devout family in Fribourg, Switzerland, Grandjean's path was shaped by his experiences in the Swiss Army and the spiritual awakenings he encountered while serving as a Swiss Guard.
Grandjean joined the Swiss Army before becoming a Swiss Guard in 2011, and his interactions with countless pilgrims sparked a spiritual awakening, with these experiences prompted him to take time for prayer and reflection while on duty. “During my service, I was deeply moved by their faith,” he told Vatican News. Additionally, while serving, Grandjean had the opportunity to join a pilgrimage for Swiss Guards to the Holy Land that was organized by Corporate Travel.
John Hale, president of Corporate Travel, shares the transformative power of such journeys: “There are four aspects of pilgrimage that I think are so important, the disconnect from daily routine that encourages openness, the ability to witness the holy sites you’re visiting, attending the sacraments of mass and confession, and the community of those who are with you coming together to serve each other and Christ.” Insights like these led to the Swiss Guard to collaborate with Hale and Corporate Travel, organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land for their members, enriching their spiritual lives, and ultimately setting Grandjean on his path to the priesthood.
Additional key moments, like the 2013 papal conclave, reinforced Grandjean's commitment. Witnessing Pope Francis’s humility taught him invaluable lessons about service. “Prayer is like a battle,” he says to Vatican News, understanding that both as a Swiss Guard and as a seminarian, dedication is key.
Despite the loneliness that can come with priesthood, Grandjean finds comfort in the communal nature of faith. He echoes Hale’s belief that the Holy Spirit guides us on our pilgrimage, urging us to be open to God’s call through our experiences.
Grandjean’s journey is a beacon of hope in a secular world. He encourages others to have the courage to
embrace their faith, reassuring them that “Christ will always be at your side.” As he studies in the seminary, he holds on to the values learned as a Swiss Guard: discipline, camaraderie, and humble service.
His story serves as a reminder that what we give up on our spiritual journeys is often returned to us many times over. It calls us all to embark on our own pilgrimages—physical or spiritual—to discover deeper meaning in our lives.
Reflecting on Didier Grandjean’s path, John Hale’s belief in the power of pilgrimage is reaffirmed. “Having done this work for 25 years, I’ve learned that the Holy Spirit calls us to be on a pilgrimage. We might not know why we’re on a particular trip, but God works through us and there is a real intentionality of us being on a trip at the same time with these people. God speaks to us through the experiences and choices.”
To learn more about the power of religious pilgrimages, and to book your own, visit pilgrimagesbycts.net.