Spanning from the 5th century to the 20th century, a very unique Easter ritual took place: the making of the Agnus Dei sacramental. The Agnus Dei, perhaps the oldest known sacramental of the Church, is a round or oval wax disc made from the wax of the previous year's Easter candles. These candles were collected, melted down, and impressed with a lamb on one side and a saint or the pope on the other. Popes would consecrate these discs on the first year of their pontificate and every seven years following. They would then distribute the discs, often to visiting bishops and Cardinals. With the Lamb of God embossed on them, these discs were seen as a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice.
We have three Agnus Dei in our collection, as well as several documents for the rite and usage for the consecration of Agnus Dei.
This statement was issued in 1862 and roughly translates to, "The Ritual Use of Forms that the Candles are Blessed and Consecrated by the Pope of Rome".
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| Rite and usage for the blessing and consecration of the 'Cereas Formas', commonly called Agnus Dei (a wax impression). 1862 John Joseph Lynch Fonds L RC44.01 |
The Agnus Dei below are two copies of the same impression, consecrated by Pope Pius XI at an unknown date:
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| Relief of Victorious Lamb/Lamb of God Special Collections - Artifacts AF 233 |
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| Relief of Victorious Lamb/Lamb of God Special Collections - Artifacts AF 233 |
On the other side, a relief of the bust of St. Andrea:
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| Relief of bust of St. Andrea Special Collections - Artifacts AF 233 |
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| Relief of bust of St. Andrea Special Collections - Artifacts AF 233 |
The Agnus Dei below was consecrated by Pope Pius XII in 1935:
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| Relief of Victorious Lamb/Lamb of God 1935 Special Collections - Artifacts AF234 |
On the other side, a relief of an unidentified bust:
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| Relief of an unidentified bust 1935 Special Collections - Artifacts AF 234 |
The Agnus Dei practice was largely abandoned following the Second Vatican Council. The last pope to consecrate them was Pope Pius XII.
To read more on the history and significance of Agnus Dei, click here.
