The significance of the Pallium

On Tuesday, June 29, His Holiness Pope John Paul II will confer the pallium on a number of new metropolitan archbishops. As your new Archbishop, and as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Philadelphia province, I will be among those who will receive the pallium.
The pallium is a white woolen band which the metropolitan archbishop wears in liturgical celebrations. The pallium is decorated with black crosses and is held in place on the liturgical vestments by three ornamental pins. It is made of wool shorn from lambs which are blessed on January 21, the feast of Saint Agnes, whose name means “lamb.”
Just as the bishop’s mitre, crozier and ring signify his episcopal office and dignity, the pallium also has significance. First of all, it is a symbol of the metropolitan archbishop’s unity with the Holy Father. Secondly, the pallium is a symbol of unity with all of my brother bishops in the Philadelphia province. The Philadelphia province consists of all of the suffragan dioceses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and I am delighted to be associated with the bishops of these dioceses. These bishops are Bishop Edward Cullen of Allentown; Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton; Bishop Joseph Adamec of Altoona-Johnstown; Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh; Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie; and Bishop Lawrence Brandt of Greensburg, the newest bishop in the province. The Diocese of Harrisburg is vacant since the death of Bishop Nicholas Dattilo.
The bishops of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference consider many topics pertinent to pastoral and administrative concerns in our various dioceses, as well as government policies which may affect Catholic education or Catholic human services. In recent years the bishops worked together to produce documents which addressed significant topics. Included among these are documents on the Church’s teaching on cohabitation, the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance. I am grateful to my brother bishops for their collaboration as I, in my role as Metropolitan, serve with them in fraternal support and cooperation.

The Conferral Ceremony
During the Pontificate of Pope John Paul II, the ceremony for the conferral of the pallium takes place within Mass celebrated by the Pope on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. This Mass usually is celebrated on the steps of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Saint Peter’s Square to accommodate the large crowds of pilgrims from all over the world who will attend in support of their new archbishops. The representation of Catholics from the various continents is a beautiful indication of the diversity of nationalities and cultures which is embraced by the universal Church. It is also a moving tribute to the efforts of our Holy Father, who has traveled to the ends of the earth, to foster the unity of the Church gathered around the Successor of Saint Peter, the Vicar of Christ.
I am particularly grateful that a number of priests, as well as a number of lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be traveling to Rome to join with me for this celebration. While in Rome, they will join with me for the celebration of Mass. Most notably, it will be my honor to celebrate Mass for the pilgrims from Philadelphia in Saint Peter’s Basilica and in my Titular Church of Santa Prisca.

Saints Peter and Paul
Fittingly, the Holy Father chooses the Church’s solemn commemoration of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul to bring together the new metropolitan archbishops for the conferral of the pallium. Through their apostolic preaching and ministry, Saint Peter, the first Pope, and Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, brought Christ to the world and the world to Christ. In the full consciousness of their weaknesses and sins, these two great apostles accepted their task and, motivated by the love of Jesus, sought to announce the good news to the ends of the earth. In ancient times, in particular in the understanding of Saint Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, the heart of the Roman empire, the city of Rome itself, was “the ends of the earth.” Both apostles carried the gospel to the people of Rome in spite of great difficulties. Both apostles would glorify God and consecrate the city of Rome by the shedding of their blood. Both apostles invite people of every nation to embrace that faith which the Church of Rome has adhered to and proclaimed for 2,000 years.
The 19th-century author Henryk Synkiewicz wrote a novel entitled Quo Vadis? which describes the persecution of the early Church under the Emperor Nero. The novel captures the majesty and splendor of ancient Rome, while simultaneously presenting the decadence and wickedness that led to the fall of the empire. One of the significant scenes of the novel portrays the martyrdom of Saint Peter on the Vatican Hill. As he is led away to his crucifixion, Peter sees all of the monuments to the emperors and the temples to various pagan gods and declares to the city of Rome, “You are mine now!” Peter and Paul, by their martyrdom, claimed the city of Rome for Christ. While the pagan temples and monuments are ruins, the testimony of Peter and Paul endures and flourishes.
While I am in Rome for the conferral ceremony, know that you will be in my heart and in my prayers, particularly as I reiterate to the Holy Father the love which all the faithful of the Archdiocese hold for the Successor of Peter. You will be remembered in each Mass as I gather with the pilgrims from Philadelphia to give thanks to God for the abundant blessings which He grants us. Please pray for me and for all of the new metropolitan archbishops who will gather on June 29. Pray also for our Holy Father that God will grant to him the health, strength, courage and serenity required to fulfill the duties of the office of Peter.