The Holy Father has appointed Father Kolumban Reichlin new Chaplain of the Swiss Guards.

Father Reichlin was born on March 2, 1971. After graduating from high school in Schwyz, he entered the monastery at Einsiedeln in 1991. Having finished his Theology studies at Einsiedeln and at St. Meinrad (USA), he was ordained priest at Einsiedeln in 1997. Subsequently, he studied Liturgical History and Science at Berne, Fribourg, and Rome. He carried out many functions in the Benedictine monastery, being responsible, in particular, for pilgrimages. Moreover, he was outstanding for his commitment to several Liturgy Commissions. Finally, from 2009 to 2020 he worked as Provost in the Provostship of St. Gerold in Vorarlberg, Austria, which belongs to the Einsiedeln monastery.

Farewell of the Preceding Chaplain

 Father Reichlin will take up his new post on October 1, 2021. He takes over from Father Thomas Widmer, who leaves the post after almost six years. As L’Osservatore Romano reported in its edition yesterday, the priest’s farewell ceremony was held on Thursday, August 12, in the Courtyard of Honour of the Swiss quarter in the Vatican. It was preceded by a Mass celebrated in the church of Santa Maria della Pietà in the Teutonic Holy Field. The participation was limited given the norms on the pandemic. The Chaplain will return to his homeland to take up the office of Administrator of the Herz Jesus parish in Zurich-Örlikon.

In his farewell address, Father Widmer thanked God for the strength He gives the Swiss Guards, stressing that “every day with great commitment, courage, and fidelity they are committed in their service for the protection of the Holy Father,” and offer a significant witness “through lived fraternal charity” within the Corps. Monsignor Guillermo Javier Karcher, of the Secretariat of State, took part, among others, in the farewell ceremony.

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester

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