Posted on 01/21/2015 3:51:08 PM PST by NYer
.- Pope Francis observed the feast of St. Agnes with the time-honored custom of the blessing of lambs, whose wool will be used to make stoles worn by archbishops and known as palliums.
The two small lambs, traditionally less than a year old, were placed in baskets and carried to the Casa Santa Marta on Wednesday where they received the Holy Father’s blessing.
St. Agnes, whose name means “lamb” in Latin, was a young girl when she consecrated her virginity to God. Although stories of her martyrdom vary, tradition holds that the beautiful young girl was pursued by various men, whom she refused because of her promise to God.
Feeling slighted, these men then turned her over to Roman authorities, outing her as a Christian. She was then put to death by the sword after refusing to give up her virginity or denounce her faith, at the young age of 12 or 13.
The young saint is buried in the Basilica named for her, located on Rome’s Via Nomentana.
During the blessing of the lambs, one lamb wears a white crown symbolizing the saint’s purity, and the other lamb to wear a red crown, symbolic of the saint’s martyrdom.
St. Agnes is usually depicted as carrying a lamb in her arms, and she is the patron saint of young girls, engaged couples, and victims of sexual assault.
When the sheep are shorn in the summer, religious sisters will collect the wool and use it to weave the Pallium, which are white stoles with six black crosses worn by archbishops to show their authority and unity with the Pope.
After the Pallium are woven, they are kept in an urn at the tomb of St. Peter until the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, when the Pope presents the stoles to the newly appointed archbishops.
Wow! Your denomination has taken these worldly & fascinating costumes to a degree rarely seen!!! I can tell it is very important to your religion.
Thanks for the links.
“Your sarcasm is not really wanted or needed here.”
Sarcasm? Mind-read much?
I truly admire the beautiful costumes I see posted in the scenes by people in your denomination.
You should probably skip my observations, if they trouble you. It is an open thread and I will continue to post.
“Also, lets level the playing field. What sect do you belong to?”
Oh, no. I don’t belong to a sect. I am forthright about what I believe on these threads.
“I am sure I can go google and find some peculiarity amongst your denomination and then we can have a snark about it. How about that? You seem awfully preoccupied with what they are wearing. “
You certainly could!!
Google “Bible”, or “Christian”, or “Body of Christ.”
You will find us described as a “peculiar people.”
“The fact that you insist on calling them costumes belies your protestations of innocence.”
And yet, you continue to mind-read. They are costumes that your denomination calls vestments. Seems simple.
“Also no where did I say that the priests make their own vestments.”
You will have to search through your pings page to determine that.
See, you did say it!
Not that I mind. I think developing skills like that is a wonderful hobby with a practical use. Always good.
And the result!
You said that! You know I am finished with this. Good way to promote Jesus Christ btw. Glad you are not Catholic.
“You said that! You know I am finished with this. “
Yes. I said you said it. I just responded to your post.
I also said you should - perhaps - focus on caucus thread. I mean it as a compliment, that the costumes your denomination has are wonderful.
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