Lambs for God

Today, the feast of St. Agnes, Pope Leo XIV was presented two lambs. The animals were later blessed, and the wool from the lambs will be used to make the pallia, a band of white wool with black crosses worn by metropolitan archbishops, given to them by the pope.

The lamb blessing on the feast of St. Agnes going back at least 500 years. St. Agnes, a virgin martyr from the 4th century, is often depicted holding a lamb, as agnus in Latin means “lamb.” The lambs come from Trappist monks, who used to pay their rent with the lambs. In the summer, Benedictine nuns will use the wool to make the pallia.

The lambs presented for the blessing were decorated in red and white flowers and placed in baskets (to prevent them from running around during the blessing). Their adorable baaing could be heard during the pope’s prayer.

What a sweet tradition.