FAITH

Faith is a gift of God to man and it is, at the same time, man's free and total entrusting of himself to God.

Faith is the docile listening to the Word of the Lord, that is the "lamp" for our steps and the "light" on our way.

If we open our hearts to Christ with confidence, if we let ourselves be conquered by him, we too can experience, together with the Curé d'Ars, "that our only happiness on this earth is to love God, and to know that He loves us."

Let us ask the Virgin Mary, always to keep alive in us this faith impregnated by love, which made her, the humble girl of Nazareth, Mother of God and model for all believers. ~ Pope Benedict XVI ~

EMBODIED FAITH

When presented to archbishops, the pallium signifies their participation in the pastoral power of the pope within their church province.

The pallium is a circular, white, woolen stole approximately two inches wide, worn about the neck, breast, and shoulders.

The pallium has two pendants, one hanging down in front and one behind...each are about two inches wide and twelve inches long...and are weighted with small pieces of lead covered with black silk.

At least part of the wool of the pallium is supplied by two lambs presented annually as a tax by the Lateran Canons Regular to the Chapter of St. John on the feast of St. Agnes.

There are six small black crosses on the pallium...the crosses on the breast, back, and left shoulder each have a loop which secures a gold pin set with a precious stone.

The pallium is worn over the chasuble.

For more information on the pallium go to:

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA ~ PALLIUM ~