The Bedeau or "church Swiss

When visiting the church in Vétheuil, you'll probably have noticed - on display in one of the south chapels - the uniform of the bedeau (or Swiss guard). This function, which has now disappeared from our churches (with the exception of a few religious buildings in Alsace, including Strasbourg Cathedral), deserves a little more attention.

The "Suisse" was a lay figure from the church, with multiple functions. He was both "the parish priest's handyman" and a man of pomp and ceremony.

He was responsible for maintaining the church, preparing religious services, opening and closing doors, supervising church attendance (e.g. by expelling dogs that tried to enter the buildings), ringing bells, maintaining order during services, distributing blessed bread and begging during services, etc.

During processions, he preceded the clergy, responsible for clearing the way, protecting the Cross and Blessed Sacrament, and maintaining order. The ceremonial costume he wore gave him authority and dignity: uniform, baudrier, bicorne (several models depending on the ceremony), large cane with knob in one hand and halberd or pertuisane in the other. He punctuated his stride by striking the ground with his knobbed cane.

But how did the "Swiss" get into the churches?

The royal ordinances of LOUIX XV in 1771 instituted a retirement pension for old soldiers. But Swiss mercenary soldiers fighting for the King of France were excluded from this measure. It was therefore decided to distribute them among the churches, at the expense of the parishes, for guarding, security and honorary service. And they kept their uniforms.

The function has virtually disappeared since the 1950s. The liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in 1962 profoundly altered the protocol and solemnity of services. All these changes, and the decline in attendance at religious services, relegate certain functions to the past.

Thanks to Gérard Michel and his blog "Obermundat" for the history of the function and the drawing illustrating this article.

If you'd like to find out more about the history of Alsace in days gone by, visit Gérard Michel's fascinating website here

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