The AGNES' PALLIUM - FR. PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

Eureka! The ARCHIVE is here again at your door step to bring to you yet another insight into the Church's history: The AGNES PALLIUM. This is one of the insignias of the office of the Metropolitan archbishops and Patriarchs.

The AGNES’ PALLIUM

June 29 every year marks the solemnity of two great Apostles – Peter and Paul. St. Peter was chosen by the Lord to be the leader of the Church and given the task to preach the Gospel especially among the Jewish communities; while Apostle Paul became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good news to the whole world. In the process of conversion, both apostles experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. Today, these great men are considered in the Christian history as ancestors in the faith. Besides the solemn celebration of these great men of faith in the Catholic Church globally, there is one particular event that takes place on this same day that has to be given a special mention.

It is on this fateful day that the Pope gives out Pallium (which is attributed to St. Agnes) to the Metropolitan Archbishops and Patriarchs appointed within the year. To some, this term ‘pallium’ sounds so strange in their ears, while others do not need an interpretation. But one thing is significant about “the Pallium,” that is the connection between the Pallium and St. Agnes. In a bit to explain the cordial relationship existing between this virtuous Virgin and Pallium, it is out of necessity to give an account of the life of St. Agnes. The little we know about St. Agnes is that she was only 13 years old when she dedicated her maidenhood to Christ, much to the outrage of her many suitors. When she refused to change her mind, Agnes was handed to the authorities. According to one story told about her, she was put in a brothel, but any man who made advances on her was blinded and paralyzed. They then tried to burn her at the stake, but the wood would not ignite. Finally, she was decapitated on the Via Nomentana outside of Rome. Agnes went to her execution, St. Ambrose tells us, “more cheerful than others go to their wedding” Later on in history, the Emperor Constantine erected a basilica over her tomb. The basilica is known today as St. Agnes Outside the Walls, where her mortal body is preserved, while her skull is in the side chapel in the Church of St. Agnes of Agony in Piazza Navonma in Rome.

Today, it is also noted that the Trappist monastery of Tre Fontane (Three fountains) on the outskirt of Rome has something in common with this virgin and martyr. The monastery has raised two lambs in her honour that are involved in a charming and ancient tradition, (recalling the fact that Agnes’ name is derived from agnus, the Latin word for Lamb, and it evokes the Greek word agnos, meaning pure). It is worthy to note that, on the day before her feast, the lambs are taken to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, where they groomed and coddled. The next morning the lambs are decorated with roses and a mantle that reads S. A. V. (St. Agnes Virgin) and the other wears a red mantle that reads S. A. M. (St. Agnes Martyr). The sisters have had the privilege of tending these lambs since 1884AD, when they inherited it from neighbouring convent closed down.

Once the lambs are ready, they are picked up by members of the Order of Lateran Canons Regular, who serve Sant’ Agnese fuori le Mura, and taken to the basilica. A morning Mass is celebrated, and the abbot of the Order blesses the lambs on the altar. From there, they are taken to the Vatican, where the pope himself receives and blesses them. The lambs are later shorn on Tuesday of Holy week, and their wool used by the nuns of the Benedictine convent of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome, to make Palliums. When they are ready, the Palliums are placed in a bronze urn next to the chair of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica. There they stay until the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29, when it will be given out to the newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops.

 According to Dom Gueranger, this simple woolen ornament worn by the Supreme Pontiff and the Archbishops “carries to the very ends of the world the sublime union of… two sentiments – the vigour and power of the Prince of Apostles, and the gentleness of Agnes the Virgin.” (Quoted in Michael P. Foley’s Agnes’ Pallium, Messenger of St. Anthony, January 2012). It is now clear to an extent why and how this unique symbol of authority is called the ‘Agnes’ Pallium’.

However, the Pallium which Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI wore and now put on by the present Supreme Pontiff, Francis I has five crosses which symbolizes the five wounds of Christ and is fastened with three pins called aciculae signifying three nails of crucifixion. The wool, out of which the pallium is made, on the other hand, recalls the lost sheep that the Good Shepherd carried on His shoulders. When the pallium is worn by the pope, it is a symbol of his authority and jurisdiction; when it is given to the Patriarchs and Metropolitans it is a symbol of their authority and their union with the bishop of Rome.  The modern pallium is a circular band about two inches wide, worn around the neck, breast, and shoulders, and having two pendants, one hanging down in front and one behind. The pendants are about two inches wide and twelve inches long, and are weighted with small pieces of lead covered with black silk. And this is worn over the chasuble.

There are many different opinions concerning the origin of the pallium. Some traced it to an investiture by Constantine the Great (or one of his successors); others consider it an imitation of the Hebrew ephod, the humeral garment of the high priest. Others again, declare that its origin is traceable to a mantle of St. Peter, which was symbolical of his office as supreme pastor. A fourth hypothesis finds its origin in a liturgical mantle, which, they assert, was used by the early popes, and which in the course of time was folded in the shape of a band; a fifth says its origin dates from the custom of folding the ordinary mantle-pallium, an outer garment in use in imperial times; a sixth declares that it was introduced immediately as a papal liturgical garment, which, however, was not at first a narrow strip of cloth, but, as the name suggests, a broad, oblong, and folded cloth. To trace it to an investiture of the emperor, to the ephod of the Jewish high-priest, or to a fabled mantle of St. Peter, is entirely inadmissible. The correct view may well be that the pallium was introduced as a liturgical badge of the pope, and it does not seem improbable that it was adopted in imitation of its counterpart, the pontifical omophorion, already in vogue in the Eastern Church.

The use of the pallium is reserved to the pope and the archbishops, but the latter may not use it until, on petition they have received the permission of the Holy See. Bishops sometimes receive the pallium as a mark of special favour, but it does not increase their powers or jurisdiction nor give them precedence. The pope may use the pallium at any time. Others, even archbishops, may use it only in their respective dioceses, and there only on the days and occasions designated in the "Pontificate" (Christmas, the Ascension, and other specified great feasts; during the conferring of Holy orders, the consecration of abbots, etc.), unless its use is extended by a special privilege. Worn by the pope, the pallium symbolizes the plenitudo pontificalis officii (i.e. the plenitude of pontifical office); worn by archbishops, it typifies their participation in the supreme pastoral power of the pope, who concedes it to them for their proper church provinces or Metropolitan Sees. An archbishop therefore, who has not received the pallium may not exercise any of his functions as metropolitan, nor any metropolitan prerogatives whatever; he is even forbidden to perform any Episcopal act until invested with the pallium. Similarly, after his resignation, he may not use the pallium, should he be transferred to another archdiocese. He must again request the Holy Father for the pallium. In the case of bishops, its use is purely ornamental. The new palliums are solemnly blessed after the Second Vespers on the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. The pallium is conferred in Rome by a cardinal-deacon, and outside of Rome by a bishop; in both cases the ceremony takes place after the celebration of Mass and the administration of the oath of allegiance. (cf. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen). 

As early as the sixth century the pallium was considered a liturgical vestment to be used only in the church, and indeed only during Mass, unless a special privilege determined otherwise. This is proved conclusively by the agreement between Gregory the Great and John of Ravenna concerning the use of the pallium. The rules regulating the original use of the pallium cannot be determined with certainty but its use, even before the sixth century, seems to have had a definite liturgical character. From the early times, more or less extensive restrictions limited the use of the pallium to certain days. Its indiscriminate use, permitted to Hincmar of Reims by Leo IV (851) and to Bruno of Cologne by Agapetus II (954) was contrary to the general custom. In the tenth and eleventh centuries, just as today, the general rule was to limit the use of the pallium to a few festivals and some other extraordinary occasions. The symbolic character now attached to the pallium dates back to the time when it was made an obligation for all metropolitans to request the Holy See for permission to use it. The evolution of this character was complete about the end of the eleventh century; hence the pallium is always designated in the papal Bulls as the symbol of plenitudo pontificalis officii (the plenitude of pontifical office). In the sixth century the pallium was the symbol of the papal office and the papal power, and for this reason Pope Felix transmitted his pallium to his archdeacon, when, contrary to custom, he nominated him his successor. On the other hand, when used by metropolitans, the pallium originally signified simply union with the Apostolic See, and was the symbol of the ornaments of virtue which should adorn the life of the wearer. 

Finally, the Pallium in actual sense transcends a mere ornament as people may see it, and assumed a unique function of dignity of office and gentleness of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.

Rev. Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

piusralphe@gmail.com

The POPE and the SWISS GUARD by PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM

THE POPE AND THE SWISS GUARD

- PIUSRALPH EFFIONG, SMMM -

piusralphe@gmail.com

Overture: The Pontifical Swiss Guard or the world’s smallest army as often called is one of the most attractive sights one could find while visiting the ancient city of Vatican for the first time. While some posed for a photograph in the front of these men who are on guard at the gate of Vatican, others looked with awe the great and gigantic men whose statures threaten even the devil. Their responsibility goes beyond mounting sentry at the Vatican City’s gate, its environs and the Pontifical Villa of Castel Gandolfo, but also focus on personal security of the Holy Father. 

In our series this week on “The ARCHIVE” we mount our camera facing the ancient city of Rome, the Vatican City or the Papal State. Where we will take a cursory look into her security service - the Pontifical Swiss Guard. They serve the Holy Father exclusively as personal protectors, and all of Swiss origin. One may be prompted to ask, why all Swiss? The answer is not far-fetched as we journey together around the walls of this city which serves as the headquarters of the worldwide Catholic Church.

The Historical Lane: The uniqueness of the Swiss Mercenaries cannot be over emphasized right from antiquity. That is why Tacitus one of the leading great historians once said, "The Helvetians are a people of warriors, famous for the valour of their soldiers." So are the Swiss guard in all ramifications, to the extent of making a remarkable impact in the history of European politics. Due to their outstanding roles played during this epoch in history, that the evening of January 22, 1506 saw them within the Vatican City on invitation by Pope Julius II, with Captain Kasparvon Silenen, of Canton Uri leading the troop through the Porta del Popolo and entered for the first time the Vatican. They were blessed by Pope Julius II, with the prelate Johann Burchard of Strasbourg, Master of Pontifical Ceremonies at that time, and author of a famous chronicle, noted the event in his diary. 

According to record, it was Pope Sixtus IV who made a previous alliance in 1497 with the Confederates, which for saw the possibility of recruiting mercenaries, and he had barracks built for them near where there is, still today, the small Church of St. Pellegrino, in Via Pellegrino in Vatican City. Later, renewing the old pact, Innocent VIII (1484-1492) also desired to make use of them against the Duke of Milan. And Alexander VI also engaged Confederate soldiers during the time of the alliance between the Borgia family and the King of France. While the Borgias were so powerful the so called Italian Wars began in which the Swiss soldiers were always present, in the front line, at times for France, and at others to support the Holy See or the Holy Roman Empire ruled by a German sovereign. When the Swiss mercenaries heard that Charles VIII, King of France, was planning a great expedition against Naples, they flocked to enlist. Towards the end of the year 1494, thousands of them were in Rome, passing through with the French army, which in February of the following year, occupied Naples. Among the participants in that expedition against Naples, there was also Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, future Pope Julius II, who under Pope Alexander VI had left Italy and gone to France. He was well acquainted with the Swiss, because some twenty years earlier he had been granted as one of many benefices, the Bishopric of Lausanne. A few months later however, Charles VIII was forced to abandon Naples in all haste and he barely succeeded in forcing a blockade and escaping to France. In fact, Pope Alexander VI had connected Milan, Venice, the Germanic Empire and Ferdinand the Catholic to form a barrier against the French. With the full knowledge of this Guards, that the Holy Father Pope Julius II invited them into the Vatican City, and they arrived that fateful day January 22, 1506. Since then, the Pontifical Swiss Guard as we come to know now has serve the various Popes across centuries.

The Pontifical Swiss Guard: Is also referred to as Papal Swiss Guard, or just Swiss Guard; Pontificia Cohors Helvetica or Cohors Pedestris Helvetiorum a Sacra Custodia Pontificis in Latin; In Italian they are known as Guardia Svizzera Pontificia; while in German it is Päpstliche Schweizergarde; and Garde suisse pontificale in French. They serve de facto military of Vatican City.  These men undergone military training in the Swiss army, and has their barracks close to the papal apartment. The guards, who are independent of the Swiss armed forces, are employed by the Holy Father – the Pope, to whom they swear loyalty in a ceremony at Belvedere Court. As is common with any elite military corps, competition is intense for inclusion in the Swiss Guards. New recruits must be unmarried Roman Catholic males with Swiss citizenship, between 19 and 30 years of age, and at least 5 feet 8 inches (1.74 metres) tall; they must have a professional diploma or high school degree and must complete basic training with the Swiss military. (Historically, new recruits also had to prove they were free of physical deformities, and commanding officers were traditionally of noble lineage.) The guards normally wear blue doublets and blue berets, but on ceremonial occasions they don the colourful Renaissance-era uniforms for which they are famous. They are among the oldest uniforms in continuous use. The tunics are striped in the colours of the Medici family: red, dark blue, and yellow. White ruffs and high plumed helmets (with ostrich feathers coloured to reflect different ranks) are also worn, as, on occasion, is armour. While in traditional dress, the guards carry pikes and swords, but they are also trained in the use of modern weaponry and counterterrorism techniques. The tailors of the Swiss Guard work inside the Vatican barracks. There the uniform for each guardsman is tailor-made individually. The total set of Renaissance style clothing weighs 8 pounds (3.6 kg), and may be the heaviest and most complicated uniform in use by any standing army today. A single uniform requires 154 pieces

and takes nearly 32 hours and 3 to fittings to complete. (cf. "The Pontifical Swiss Guard – Uniforms". The Vatican. Retrieved August 19, 2017.)

While both Michelangelo and a painting of the Pontifical Swiss Guard bearing Pope Julius II on a litter (by Raphael) are often cited as inspiration for the Pontifical Swiss Guard uniform, the actual uniforms worn by those soldiers included a flaring skirt; a common feature in male clothing during the Renaissance. A clear expression of the modern Pontifical Swiss Guard uniform can be seen in a 1577 fresco by Jacopo Coppi of the Empress Eudoxia conversing with Pope Sixtus III. It shows the precursor of today's recognizable three-colored uniform with boot covers, white gloves, a high or ruff collar, and either a black beret or a black Comb morion (silver for high occasions). Sergeants wear a black top with crimson leggings, while other officers wear an all-crimson uniform. The colours blue and yellow were in use from the 16th century, said to be chosen to represent the Della Rovere coat of arms of Julius II, with the colour red added to represent the Medici coat of arms of Leo X. (cf. "The Swiss Guard - The Uniform of the Swiss Guards". vatican.va. Retrieved August 19, 2017.)

At the moment the Swiss Guards’ residential quarters is located at the eastern edge of the city, north of St. Peter's Square and beside the Vatican palace. Their chapel is that of Saints Martino and Sebastiano, and the Campo Santo Teutonico, near St. Peter's Basilica, is designated their cemetery. Swiss mercenaries were long renowned as the best soldiers in the world. Further reorganizations of this Guards were made in 1959 and 1976, and in 1979 their number was fixed at 100 (a commandant, 3 other high officers, a chaplain, 23 lesser officers, 2 drummers, and 70 pikemen). In 1981 Swiss Guards helped protect John Paul II during an assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square. In fact, the plainclothes guardsman who rushed to the pope's aid became a hero and was named commandant of the Swiss Guards in 1998. Within hours of his promotion, however, he and his wife were shot and killed by a disgruntled lower-ranking guard, who then committed suicide; these were the first murders known to have taken place in Vatican City since the mid-19th century. (cf. "Swiss Guards." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2014.)

Conclusion: Huldrych Zwingli, a Swiss Catholic who later became a Protestant reformer once said, "The Swiss see the sad situation of the Church of God, Mother of Christianity, and realize how grave and dangerous it is that any tyrant, avid for wealth, can assault with impunity, the common Mother of Christianity." This observation summarizes the pains and gory states the Holy Mother Church went through. And this formed the foundation of their invitation to the Vatican City. With their service and commitment, the Holy Father, Pope Julius II granted them the title “Defenders of the Church’s freedom.” They hold their swearing-in ceremony May 6 each year to mark the day in 1527 when 147 members of their corps gave their lives in a desperate rear-guard action that allowed Pope Clement VII to reach the safety Castel Sant’Angelo while the soldiers of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacked the eternal city – Rome. The pontifical Swiss Guards being foot guards with a close protection of the Holy Father as their primary role has a capacity of 100 men. Ss. Ignatius of Antioch, Martin of Tours, Sebastian and Nicholas of Flue are their patron saints. Acriter et Fidelter (Fiercely and Faithfully) remains their motto. So far they have recorded a total of three major war engagements: War of Urbino in 1517, Sack of Rome in 1527 and Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The Pontifical Swiss Guard at present has Pope Francis I as the Ceremonial Chief, Christopher Graf – the Commander and Philippe Morard as the Vice Commander.

EDITORIAL

                 

GRATITUDE

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I remain your servant in Christ,

Fr. PiusRalph EFFIONG, SMMM

(General Editor)