DEDICATION OF ALTAR IN SWISS GUARDS CHAPEL

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano dedicated the new altar of the chapel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The chapel has been recently restored and is dedicated to Sts. Martin and Sebastian.

Cardinal Sodano said that St. Martin, whose feast day falls today, "teaches us by example that which we have heard in the Gospel: we cannot approach God's altar without being reconciled with our brothers and sisters. Yes, the church is the place for meeting God but at the same time it is a house of fraternity."

Addressing the commander, the chaplain and the soldiers of the Swiss Guard, the cardinal said: "In this chapel, positioned precisely at the base of the Apostolic Palace, you bring to the Lord's altar, 'the joys and trials of each day', offering these things to God both for your own good and that of the His entire holy Church. I know you make this offering in keeping with the intentions of the Pope and I cannot but praise you for this."

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