On the twelfth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...twelve illum’nated texts,

Bishops' fonds and Special Collections
AF.158, POAA45.02, POAA45.03, AF.275, AF.075, AF.008, AF.111, RB.30, AF.074, AF.077, PB.04

For the purposes of today's post, illumination refers to gold or silver decoration added to textual material. We have included both hand-illuminated records as well as printed items, where metallic inks have been applied using a mechanical process. From left to right:

• The first seven are pages from illuminated addresses, which are decorated booklets typically presented to bishops to mark special anniversaries or jubilees. The addresses usually include a biography of the bishop. The first and fifth images were created by noted Toronto artist A. H. Howard for the 25th anniversary of Archbishop Walsh's consecration in 1892.  These pages have small illustrations of St. Peter's Cathedral in London and St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, respectively.
• The next two are examples of illuminated, printed books: The Holy Bible and a limited edition of Humanae Salutis, the Apostolic Constitution with which Pope John XXIII solemnly convoked the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council on 25 December 1961.
• In the bottom left corner are the letters patent registering the 1984 coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Toronto with the College of Arms in England.
• Next is an illuminated printed certificate naming Archbishop Lynch of Toronto an elected member of the Roman Society of Jusrisconsults in 1879.
• The last image is a papal bull issued by Pius XI with a decorated initial "P."

eleven saintly medals,

ten ’broidered vestments,

nine document seals,

eight spir’tual bouquets,

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

With the Feast of the Epiphany, the twelve days of Christmas come to an end.  We hope you've enjoyed our artifacts show and tell.  Happy New Year!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...eleven saintly medals,

Medallions Special Collection
MD.20, MD.141, MD.64, MD.126, MD.111, MD.101, MD.80, MD.42, MD.74, MD.36, MD.51, MD.64

Medals are typically round pieces of metal struck or cast for commemorative purposes. Religious devotional medals often depict the saints.  Medals may be designed for display purposes, or to be worn or attached to a rosary.

In the Middle Ages, it became common practice for pilgrimage sites to distribute tokens cast in lead, which served as a souvenir and proof that the pilgrim had duly reached the destination. During the Renaissance, religious medals became aides in popular devotion, often because the medals were given a papal blessing or enriched with indulgences. The issuing of papal jubilee medals began as early as 1475. Since then, the most noteworthy actions of each pontificate have been commemorated with medals.

Today we highlight “saintly medals” in our collections, including religious medals of saints, and papal medals of popes who have since been canonized (left to right):

• St. John XXIII (the Pope is wearing headgear known as the Papal Camauro, a cap of wool or velvet with fur trim)
• St. Elizabeth of Hungary
• The Conversion of St. Augustine
• St. Paul (presumably because this bearded figure is holding a scroll, representing the Scriptures)
• St. John Paul II (World Youth Day Toronto 2002 medal)
• St. Charles Borromeo
• St. Christopher medallion, popularly worn by travelers or hung in vehicles for protection.  The reverse of this medallion states: “I am a Catholic. In case of accident call a priest."  
• St. Pius X
• St. Joseph, distributed at the Oratory in Montreal
• St. Gregory Barbarigo
• St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, a Canadian saint

ten ’broidered vestments,

nine document seals,

eight spir’tual bouquets,

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the tenth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...ten ’broidered vestments,

Textiles Special Collection, TX.01, TX.06, TX.101, TX.50, TX.09. TX.121, TX.49, TX.122, TX.04, TX.95

Embroidery refers to thread or yarn stitched to fabric for decoration. Historically, liturgical vestments were richly embroidered by hand to emphasize the solemnity of the garments' purpose.  In our collection, we have a variety of textiles with embroidery ranging from weighty metallic thread to fine, machine-made details.  

In this selection are four chasubles (gold, white, purple and red), the liturgical garment worn by the celebrating priest. All of these are examples of the "fiddleback" style. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, chasubles were heavily lined and stiffened to support the heavy embroidery. Therefore, in order to allow for better range of arm motion, the front sides were cut away, forming a fiddleback shape. 

Other embroidered vestments include:

• a humeral veil, worn for holding the monstrance during the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament;
• liturgical gloves (also called episcopal or ceremonial gloves), which are reserved for bishops. They are worn only at Pontifical Mass, and then only to the washing of the hands before the Sacrifice;
• an unusual grey-coloured stole, presumably for funerals;
• an alb, the garment worn under the chasuble or dalmatic, with embroidered cuff details;
• a green dalmatic, the sleeved tunic worn by celebrating deacons;
• a gold mitre that belonged to Cardinal Carter.

nine document seals,

eight spir’tual bouquets,

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the ninth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...nine document seals,

Seals Special Collection, DS.01, DS.05, DS.06a&b, DS.07, DS.08, DS.09, DS.10

Seals authenticate documents. Corporate seals are particularly important because they act as the signature of the corporation. (In the past, individuals were not allowed to sign off on certain corporate acts, so a seal was necessary to prove authority).  

Instead of using wax or ink, these nine seals are designed for embossing paper or foil. Embossing required two dies: one with a raised image and one that is recessed. The dies fit into each other so that when paper is pressed between them, the raised die forces the sheet into the recessed die and creates the embossed impression. The two dies are aligned and fitted to an embossing machine, such as the hand-operated clamping devices shown above.

Most of these are corporate seals that are now obsolete. Two of these are old archdiocesan seals.  The others are seals of various bishops, a parish, the Papal Visit Community Fund, the Catholic Industrial School society, and St. Mary's Hospital.

Seals Special Collection, DS.01

Example of the two dies required for embossing paper. The mirror image of the seal is carved out of the brass plate (right), and then molten zinc is cast into this recessed image to create the raised die (left). Using this technique, the plates perfectly interlock when pressed to form an impression of Archbishop Neil McNeil's seal.  The oval image features his coat of arms and the Latin words Archiepiscopus Torontinus, meaning "Archbishop of Toronto." 

eight spir’tual bouquets,

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the eighth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...eight spir’tual bouquets,

Spiritual Bouquets, POAA45.01, MGDA12.48, MGCA11.01, MGDA12.03. AF.273, AF.134

A spiritual bouquet is a card with a list of prayers and spiritual devotions that will be offered for the benefit of a particular person. These may include specific numbers of Masses, Communions, Rosaries, Visits to the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross, and Litanies, to name a few.

The cards may be given for a variety of occasions as expressions of joy, best wishes, congratulations, or sympathy. Traditionally hand-made, spiritual bouquets are often decorated with flowers as their name implies. Offering spiritual bouquets is a uniquely Roman Catholic tradition that continues today.

As these eight cards illustrate, spiritual bouquets come in all shapes and sizes and are given by individuals, religious communities and school groups. Counterclockwise from top left:

• Spiritual bouquet for Archbishop Philip Pocock on the anniversary of his consecration, from The Separate School Children.
• Spiritual bouquet offered to Cardinal McGuigan from a good friend for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
• Bouquet spirituel for then Most Rev. McGuigan when he was appointed Archbishop of Regina, including 17,619 invocations and 247 Chemins de Croix.
• "A bouquet of flowers for our new Cardinal," offered to Cardinal Ambrozic from school children.
• A spiritual bouquet from the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood to His Eminence Cardinal McGuigan on the 25th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.
• A trifold spiritual bouquet for Auxiliary Bishop Francis Allen's Silver Jubilee.
• A spiritual bouquet for new elevated Cardinal Ambrozic from school children.  Composed of individual hearts on which each student stated their choice of prayer and a good deed performed on the Cardinal's behalf.
• From the Sisters of the Precious Blood in London, a spiritual bouquet for then Archbishop McGuigan upon his installation to the See of Toronto.

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the seventh day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...seven papal bulls,

Papal Bulls, PB.03a&b, PB.04a&b, PB.05, PB.06, PB.08,

A papal bull is a particular type of decree uniquely issued by the Pope.  The document gets its name from the attached authenticating seal, or bulla.  (Bullire means "to boil" in Latin, referring to the process of softening the metal in order for it to take the impression of the mould.) The distinctive seals are made of lead and feature the images of saints Peter and Paul on one side, and the name of the issuing pontiff on the reverse.  

All papal bulls begin with the issuing Pope's name and the Papal title episcopus servus servorum Dei, meaning "bishop, servant of the servants of God." In the unrolled bull above, the name Pius X can be seen in the top left and on the seal. Papal bulls are usually written on parchment. They can be delightfully medieval looking, with gilding and meticulously formed calligraphy.

Most of the papal bulls we have in the archives are declarations of episcopal appointments.  Four of the seven are shown in their original mailing tubes with Vatican Post issued stamps. 

Detail of the bulla (seal).

The seals are cast over the cord that is threaded through the document to authenticate it. They are made from lead. Apostles Paul and Peter, Fathers of the Church, are depicted on the left and right of the cross, respectively. The Pope's name (e.g. Pius Papa X) is on the reverse. 

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the sixth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...six pairs of buskins,

Textiles Special Collection, TX.106a-f

Buskins are ceremonial liturgical stockings traditionally made of silk.  They are worn by the celebrant of a Pontifical Mass, which follows the Extraordinary Form. Buskins can be worn with episcopal sandals (low slipper-like footwear) or over regular socks and with dress shoes. They match the liturgical colour of the chasuble worn by the bishop or pope. These six pairs of buskins belonged to James Cardinal McGuigan.

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the fifth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...five golden rings,

Artifacts Special Collection, AF.362, AF.103, AF.354, 2014-004, AF.095

We decided not to get too creative with the lyrics today!

Bishops' rings are considered collective property of the Church. ARCAT stores episcopal rings for the current archbishop, who inherits the previous ordinary's ring collection, in trust, on behalf of the Church. Clockwise from top:

• Cardinal’s ring, belonged to G. Emmett Cardinal Carter.  Crucifixion scene, with the Madonna and St. John depicted at the foot of the Cross.  When a bishop is elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals, he receives a Cardinal's ring from the Pope, which replaces his Bishop's ring.  All cardinals elevated under the same pontificate receive identical rings; this is the design issued by Pope John Paul II.
• Second Vatican Council ring, given to Most. Rev. Philip Pocock while he was Co-adjutor Archbishop of Toronto. Gift from Pope Paul VI in 1965 to all the prelates who had attended the ecumenical council.  The ring is pointed at the top like a mitre. Depicted are three arched niches: Christ in the centre; St. Peter on the left; St. Paul on the right.
• Episcopal ring, belonged to James Cardinal McGuigan. This large amethyst ring was given to the Cardinal by the Basilian Fathers after he was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals in 1946. His coat of arms can be seen on the side, in rose gold.
• Bishop's ring, belonged to Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic.  The stone is a garnet. Engraved and enameled around the stone are the Greek words "ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΙΗΣΟΥΣ" meaning Jesus is Lord. This is considered one of the earliest professions of faith in Jesus Christ and was adopted as Cardinal Ambrozic's personal motto. The Latin translation, Jesus est Dominus, appears on his coat of arms.
• Bishop's ring, belonged to Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, Pearse Lacey, and Bishop Kidd of London before him.  It is unusual because it has a shell cameo of the Madonna rather than a gem stone. We received this ring after Bishop Lacey died in April of this year. The ring's history was described in a previous post.  

four photographs,

three 

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the fourth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...four photographs,

Photographs Special Collection: PH0002/05P; PH65/331CP; PH24F/21P; PH31P/227AL(35)

While we have more than 6,000 photographs stored in the archives, these four represent significant 2014 anniversaries.  Our most common requests for photographs result from anniversary celebrations. Clockwise from top:

• All Saints Parish, Etobicoke, turned 50 years old this year. Photo of the church's ground breaking ceremony shows Rev. Martin O'Grady with a shovel while Auxiliary Bishop Francis Allen looks on.
• We marked 30 years since John Paul II visited the Archdiocese of Toronto during the first Papal Visit to Canada.  The Pope was also canonized this past year. Photo of the pontiff disembarking a military helicopter in Midland, Ontario.
• Msgr. Vincent Foy celebrated 75 years of ordination to the priesthood in June.  He is the first priest of the archdiocese to reach this milestone. Photographic portrait taken in 1964.
• The construction of St. Ann's Church, Toronto, was completed a century ago. The first Mass was celebrated by Archbishop McNeil on the feast of St. Ann, July 26, 1914. This photo was taken as part of an archdiocesan property survey in 1914. Piles of construction material and debris can be seen in front of the building.

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the third day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...three mitres,

Textiles Special Collection, TX.97, TX.92 and TX.82

A mitre is a tall folding cap, consisting of two flat, peaked parts sewn together at the sides. Two fringed lappets always hang down from the back.  It is worn over the zucchetto and removed for prayer. Mitres are the reserved headdress of bishops. There are three types of mitres as shown above:

• pretiosa (precious): decorated with precious stones and gold and worn on solemn feast days;
• auriphrygiata (gold): plain gold cloth or white silk with gold, silver or coloured embroidered bands; usually worn by bishops when they preside at the celebration of the sacraments and for private functions;
• simplex (simple): undecorated, white linen or silk with red fringes on the lappets. Cardinals vested in the presence of the Pope wear a mitre of white damask, such as the one above.

These mitres belonged to Cardinal Carter and Cardinal Ambrozic.

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the second day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me...

...two maniples:

Textiles Special Collection, TX.65b and TX.77

A maniple is a piece of liturgical vesture worn over the left forearm of the priest or deacon during Mass. It has two strings to tie together for a secure fit. Its origin is the large handkerchief laid across the arm of Roman magistrates signifying authority and service (similar to the cloth that a maître d’ hangs over his forearm).  Following Vatican II, the maniple was considered to be unnecessary and is no longer used in common Mass.  It is still used where Latin Masses (Extraordinary Form) are celebrated. (Latin Mass is available at four parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto)

The red maniple is made of velvet lined with silk and likely dates to the early 20th century.  The shiny fabric and slim line of the purple maniple suggests a 1960s aesthetic.  The cross decoration is framed in a mandorla, so called for its almond shape.  Maniples would have been part of a matching vestment set with a stole and chasuble or dalmatic.  The colours are indicative of the liturgical calendar.  Red (symbolizing fire, blood, sacrifice, charity, zeal and the Holy Spirit) is worn at Pentecost, Palm Sunday, and Feast Days of the Martyrs.  Purple (symbolizing repentance, sorrow, penitence, preparation) is used during Advent and Lent.

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the first day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me...

...a pen used to vote at Conclave:

Accession 2013-017

Following his participation in the most recent Papal Conclave, Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Cardinal Collins presented the archives with some souvenirs.  The cache included a blue Pilot pen and an explanatory note identifying its provenance as 

"one of the pens placed at each Cardinal's place in the Sistine Chapel in the Conclave of March 2013 that elected Pope Francis, and the one I used in voting."

[Our professional glee at receiving this artifact greatly compensated for our disappointment at learning that the conclave issued ballpoint pens instead of quills handcrafted from dove feathers of purest white.]

From Boxing Day until Epiphany, we will be marking the Twelve Days of Christmas by highlighting different objects archived at the archdiocese. (We paid special attention to making the lyrics syllabically consistent with the original tune.)

Interestingly enough, there is a Canadian and Catholic angle to this beloved and much-parodied Christmas carol.  In 1979, a Canadian hymnologist, Hugh McKellar, claimed The Twelve Days of Christmas was a catechism song to help young Catholics learn their faith at a time when practising Catholicism was criminalized in England.* For example, he proposed that the four calling (or colly) birds stood for the four gospels and the eight maids-a-milking were code for the beatitudes. 

Though there are many theories regarding variations of the song's lyrics and their symbolism, the origins of the hymn remain unknown.

*McKellar, Hugh D. "How to Decode the Twelve Days of Christmas." U.S. Catholic, December 1979.

McKellar, Hugh D. "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The Hymn, a journal of congregational song, October 1994.