BLESSING OF THE LAMBS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. AGNES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 2002 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, continuing an ancient tradition, this morning blessed several baby lambs whose wool will be used to make the palliums given every year to new metropolitan archbishops on June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

The blessing of the lambs, who are under one year of age, takes place on or near January 21, feast of St. Agnes for whom the traditional symbol is a lamb. This virgin-martyr died about 350 and is buried in the basilica named after her on Rome's Via Nomentana. Traditionally the lambs are raised by the Trappist Fathers of the Abbey of the Three Fountains and, when shorn, their wool is made into the palliums by the sisters of St. Cecilia.

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