On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Today was a day of many celebrations. First and foremost, today we recall in solemn celebration of the great Peter, fearless leader of the Christian Church, and the fearless teacher, Paul, who having first persecuted Christians became a prime mover and shaker of Christianity. Pope Benedict conferred the Pallium to new metropolitans. Lastly, today also marks the 57th anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood.

The Pallium is a vestment originally reserved to the Pope but later (1970's) given to metropolitan bishops as a sign of the authority entrusted to them by the Holy See. Only the Pope can grant the usage of the Pallium upon a Metropolitan Bishop. Its secular use dates back to Roman custom and ecclessial use dates to the middle of the 4th century.

The Pallium is made by Roman Benedictine nuns from wool shorn from lambs blessed by the Holy Father on the feast of Saint Agnes in January. It is a broad band that sits on the shoulders with two medallions that fall on the front and back of the person wearing it. It has five crosses marking the wounds of Jesus (hands, feet and side) and a place for three metal nails.

The pallium is a reminder of the Archbishop's role as shepherd and of his unity to Rome and its Bishop. It is the yoke of Christ upon the shoulders of the Metropolitan. In his homily at the Papal Installation Mass, Pope Benedict said, “the lamb’s wool is meant to represent the lost, sick or weak sheep which the shepherd places on his shoulders and carries to the waters of life.”

Prior to the Mass on the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, the new palliums to be given are stored in a silver coffin over the tomb of Saint Peter below the Main Altar of the Petrine Basilica.

The following is the prayer used by the Pope upon conferral:

To the glory of Almighty God and the praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Holy Roman Church, for the honor of the churches, which have been placed in your care, and as a symbol of your authority as metropolitan archbishop: We confer on you the pallium taken from the tomb of Peter to wear within the limits of your ecclesiastical province.

May this pallium be a symbol of unity and a sign of your communion with the Apostolic See, a bond of love, and an incentive to courage. On the day of the coming and manifestation of our great God and chief shepherd, Jesus Christ,may you and the flock entrusted to you be clothed with immortality and glory. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Upon his election as Pope, Benedict opted to depart from the traditional form used by his predessessor for one more in tune with ancient tradition. Last week, however, Msgr. Marini unveiled a new and modified version of the papal pallium (pictured to the rightt). The new pallium sits in a more circular manner upon the shoulders and continues the use of red crosses.