What is a Pallium?
When an archbishop is appointed to a new archdiocese, he requests a pallium from the Holy See. The pallium is a scarf, or stole-like vestment that is worn over the chasuble when the archbishop celebrates Mass. This is a symbol of an archbishop’s unity with the Pope and his authority, and his responsibility to care for the flock the Pope entrusted to him
When viewed from the front or the back, the pallium resembles the letter “Y.” It is white, with six black crosses. Three of those crosses, the ones on the front, back, and left shoulder, are ornamented with a gold pin, symbolizing the three nails of Christ’s crucifixion.
Some of the white wool of the pallium comes from two lambs that are blessed each year by the Holy Father on January 21, the Feast of St. Agnes.
In addition, each of the pendants that hang in front and back are tipped with black satin, resembling the hoof of a lamb; thus the imagery being that of the archbishop, the chief shepherd of the diocese, carrying a lamb on his shoulders, in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd.
