This week in Rome has been marked by celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guards. Fr. Guy of the "Shouts in the PIazza" blog notes the schedule:

May 5: 3:30pm, in the Auditorium Conciliazione a meeting will take place between all the members of the Swiss Guard and their families and friends.

7:00pm: the choir and orchestra of the Collegium Musicum of Lucerne, with soloists from the Higher School of Music, also of Lucerne, the choir of Freiburg Cathedral and the Vokalensemble of the Swiss Canton of Schwyz will perform the "Carmen Saeculare" by Fr. Theo Flury O.S.B.

May 6: the main day of the 500th anniversary celebration, will begin with a commemorative Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. A wreath of flowers will then be laid in the Square of Roman Protomartyrs inside the Vatican (just inside the arch of the bells and next to the Sacristy of St. Peter’s) remembering those guards who fell during the sack of Rome in 1527.

4:30pm: the annual swearing-in ceremony (Giuramento) for new recruits will take place. For the first time in history it will be held in St. Peter’s Square, rather than in the San Damaso courtyard where it normally takes place.

11:00pm: there will be a fireworks display over Castel Sant’Angelo.

May 7: after the Regina Coeli, the Swiss Army Concert Band will offer a concert in St. Peter’s Square.

Here’s the Vatican page on the group

Here’s a page – which strikes me as an "official" page of the Guard. Lots of history.

There’s a special exhibit at the Vatican:

A special exhibit has opened at the Vatican documenting the 500-year history of the Swiss Guard, the smallest and oldest military corps in the world.

From March 29 to July 30, visitors to the Braccio di Carlomagno near St. Peter’s Basilica can get a glimpse of artwork, objects and armor spanning the past half-millennium of what is also the most photographed army in history.

The commander of the Guard, Col. Elmar Mader, said at a March 28 press conference that the exhibit, "The Papal Swiss Guard: 500 Years of History, Art and Life," aims to give visitors a taste of what has motivated generations of Swiss men to guard the life and safety of the pope — even at the risk of their own lives.

Here are photos from the opening of that exhibit and here are more.

One of the more interesting parts of the celebration has been a march:

A group of former Swiss Vatican Guards is marching from Switzerland to Rome to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the founding of the corps.

The 70 men, from 25 to 76 years of age, are following the same arduous 720-kilometre route the first Swiss mercenaries took when they heeded the call of Pope Julius II.

"Long live the Pope, long live the Swiss Guards!" Following this cheer, and much pomp and pageantry, the 70-odd former guards changed into more comfortable clothing and set off from the main castle in the southern Swiss town of Bellinzona.

They are re-enacting the legendary trek undertaken by about twice as many mercenaries 500 years ago, in response to an invitation from Pope Julius II, who sought his own private security force.

It will take the former members of the world’s smallest army 28 days to reach Rome on foot, and even though they are largely following the same route, they have the advantage of high-tech hiking gear, and are being accompanied by two doctors and an ambulance, as well as vehicles transporting their supplies and provisions.

The Swiss Guard uniform is, of course, unusual in a modern context, but honestly, in the context of St. Peter’s and the Vatican, it fits perfectly. Any other type of uniform would seem almost out of place. St. Peter’s is all about continuity, and the Swiss Guard is a part of that.

At the same time, these men are not museum figures. They are all business, and you have no doubt, as you watch them, for example, stand motionless in one spot for two hours before, during, and after a General Audience, that they could take you. Or anyone.

They are also exceedingly polite, charming young men. I was quite impressed with them – Michael and the children had close encounters with them in their "behind the walls" Monday afternoon tour at the Apostolic Palace, but even in my brief conversations – going into the Scavi area, picking up General Audience tickets, I found them to be quite marvelous in their calm demeanor, patience (with a frazzled nun seeking GA tickets) and careful English.