Welcome to the Fidei et Virtuti Journal!

Who are we?

Papal Zouave International began in early 2022 as the Twitter page Papal Zouave History. Very quickly, it became clear that there was a need for a full-fledged organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Papal Zouaves. After a year and a half of growth and preparation, Papal Zouave History was formally established as Papal Zouave International on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2023.

Today, Papal Zouave International is committed to promoting and preserving the history of the Papal Zouaves, Catholic volunteers who fought for the Holy See in the 19th century, and, at times, the legacy of other counter-revolutionary soldiers such as the Vendeans, Carlists, and Cristeros.

Why Fidei et Virtuti?

We chose the name of our journal, Fidei et Virtuti (“Faith and Virtue”), after the medal awarded to the Papal Zouaves and other Pontifical soldiers who successfully defended the Papal States against Garibaldi and his Redshirts in the fall of 1867. During that campaign, many gave their lives in defense of Blessed Pope Pius IX and his temporal rights. The names of Dufournel, Jong, Guillemin, Watts-Russell, and countless others are forever remembered on a monument to the fallen at Campo Verano cemetery in Rome. Sadly, the monument today lies in a state of disrepair—a symbol of how their memory has faded, even within much of the Catholic world.

We believe, however, that their faith and virtue must not be forgotten. In this journal, we seek to revive and spread the story of their sacrifice, heroism, and, in some cases, martyrdom. Through their example of faith and virtue, we hope to inspire the faithful of today to pursue holiness in their own lives, standing firm against the same forces of secularism and atheism that the Papal Zouaves resisted.

Why Subscribe to the Fidei et Virtuti Journal?

Because every post preserves and promotes the legacy of the Papal Zouaves, Catholic volunteers who defended the Holy See in the 19th century. Subscribing gives you access to original research, original translations, and rediscovered writings that are not easily found elsewhere. By joining, you directly support the mission of Papal Zouave International in keeping this Catholic heritage alive.

Papal Zouave International Member Benefits.

The Fidei et Virtuti Journal is the cornerstone of membership in Papal Zouave International. Membership is offered in three tiers: Soldier, NCO, and Officer. Each with unique perks such as an annual subscription to the Fidei et Virtuti Journal, books, prayer cards, and coupons for the P.Z.I. store.

Annual Substack supporters automatically receive NCO Tier membership, while Substack Officer Tier supporters automatically receive Officer Tier membership in Papal Zouave International.

If you’ve subscribed through Substack only, please check your email for instructions on how to claim your full membership benefits. To learn more, visit the membership section of PapalZouave.com

Annual Subscription to Fidei et Virtuti for $30.

The Papal Zouave International Soldier Tier membership includes an annual subscription to the Fidei et Virtuti Journal on Substack for $30. Additional benefits include: The assignment of a Papal Zouave to pray for his repose, Joseph-Louis Guérin prayer cards, $10 coupon off P.Z.I. store annually, and a copy of Adéodat and Emmanuel Dufournel: Officers of the Papal Zouaves. To learn more, visit the membership section of PapalZouave.com

What About your Threads and other Content on P.Z.I’s Social Media?

Over the years, Papal Zouave International has produced a significant number of historical threads, primarily on X (Twitter). Because of the volume of material, it has become difficult to curate and organize. To improve accessibility and readability, these previously written threads will be gradually archived on the Fidei et Virtuti Substack.

All past content released for free will remain free. Going forward, however, new long-form editions and in-depth pieces will be reserved for paid subscribers, primarily on the Substack platform.

Join the Ranks

Become part of a community dedicated to preserving Catholic history and honoring the legacy of the Papal Zouaves. Participate in the comments, support this mission with a subscription, and connect with others who share your passion. Every new post of Fidei et Virtuti is sent directly to your email inbox.