What Is an Agnus Dei?

Q: Recently an older member of our congregation presented my wife and me with an Agnus Dei locket as a token of appreciation for the wonderful music we provided at the Christmas liturgy. The locket is about the size of a dime, heart-shaped and opens to reveal a spatter of wax.

Inscribed on the front are the words Agnus Dei, and on the back is a cross with rays radiating from its center. He indicated there was quite a story associated with the locket that included the pope and a candle which is lighted once every seven years. Do you know what the story is, and the significance behind this locket?

A: You can find information concerning the Agnus Dei in A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, by Ann Ball (Our Sunday Visitor Press).

According to Ms. Ball, 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. In the ceremony the pope dips the wax discs in a mixture of water, balsam and chrism.

When the pope blesses the Agnus Dei, he prays for protection from fire, flood, storms and plagues and for safety in childbirth.

Ms. Ball further tells us that packets of Agnus Deis are placed in the miters of cardinals and bishops who come for them the Saturday of Easter Week.