The Pallium
The pallium, a band of pure white wool, with crosses, worn over the shoulders of the Pope, the Cardinals, and metropolitan archbishops, signifies the yoke of Christ. On January 21, the Feast of St. Agnes, two lambs are blessed at the Basilica of St. Agnes in Rome and are then sent for presentation to the Pope. They are cared for in the gardens of the Basilica of St. Cecilia by the Benedictine nuns until the shearing of their wool before Easter. The wool from these lambs is then woven into the pallia which the Pope presents to the new archbishops on June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who has taken away our sins. You are the Good Shepherd who carries us through this life to the house of our Father. We pray for the unity of your Body, the Church. We pray for the coming of your kingdom when there will be one flock and one Shepherd. Alleluia!