Every year on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pope blesses the Pallia that will be given to the newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops.
This year, Cebu Archbishop Alberto S. Uy, together with Archbishop Charlie Inzon of Cotabato and Archbishop David William Antonio of Nueva Segovia, will receive the Pallium from Pope Leo XIV.
The Pallium (pl. Pallia) is a vestment unique to the Pope, and to Metropolitan Archbishops, who wear it today within their Ecclesiastical Provinces to signify their authority as Metropolitans, and their close union with the Successor of Saint Peter.
It is made to rest on the shoulders of its wearer, with two lappets marking the front and back of the vestment. This is so that when seen from the front or the back, the vestment resembles the letter Y.
The Pallium has taken on many forms through the centuries, but in its present form, it is a narrow band, “three fingers broad,” woven out of white lamb’s wool. It is adorned with six black crosses: four on the loop, and two on each lappet. It is adorned with three jeweled gold pins going from front to back.
Each Pallium is made using white lamb’s wool. The wool is taken from the lambs that are solemnly presented on the Feast of Saint Agnes every January 21. After they are presented and blessed by Pope Leo himself, they are sent to the Benedictine nuns of the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, who would shear them during Holy Week, so that the wool could be woven into the pallia for the new archbishops. Pope Benedict remiss us of the rich symbolism of the wool, saying that “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” (Pope Benedict XVI)
After the Pallia are made, they are placed near the tomb of Saint Peter the night before the Solemnity. Afterwards, they are taken from the tomb on the feast day and imposed on the Metropolitan Archbishops.
As each Pallium is imposed, the Holy Father says: “May you see in this Pallium a symbol of unity and a sign of communion with the Apostolic See; may it be a bond of charity and a source of strength, so that on the day of the coming and revelation of our great God and the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, you may obtain, together with the flock entrusted to you, the robe of immortality and glory.”
The Pallium is fitted with three pins, placed from front to back passing through the left shoulder. Originally there to hold the pallium in place, when it was in its primitive form, they have been retained to symbolize the three nails used to pierce the hands and feet of Jesus.
More than just being a symbol of close union with the Pope, and the dignity of the Metropolitan Office, the Pallium is a reminder for its wearer that like Christ, they are called to bear the flock entrusted to them on their shoulders.