Agnus Deis are small discs of wax taken from the Paschal Candle
and blessed by the pope on the Wednesday of Holy Week in the first year of his pontificate
and every seventh year following.
On one side of the disc is stamped the figure of a lamb representing Christ the paschal
lamb sacrificed for our redemption. The Agnus Dei is frequently encased in leather or silk and sometimes surrounded by lace
and fancy embroidery.
The ceremony of blessing takes place after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) of the Mass. When the pope blesses the Agnus Dei, he prays for protection from fire, flood, storms
and plagues and for safety in childbirth.
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