Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Archbishop Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans receives his pallium from Pope Benedict XVI.

Today is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. In Rome this morning, all archbishops that have been appointed over the past year received their palliums from the Holy Father as is done each year on this feast day. The pallium is a special stole made of lamb's wool that each bishop receives signifying the communion of all archbishops. Above is a photo from the AP showing newly appointed Archbishop Aymond of the Archdiocese of New Orleans receiving his. The Archbishop's pallium has black crosses on it. You can see the Holy Father's has red crosses. Today is the only day you'll see both archbishops and the Pope wearing them at the same time. At a Papal Mass, it's reserved for only the Holy Father to wear.

This also marks the end of the Year of St. Paul allowing us to focus more fully on the Year for Priests that has begun. In the closing Vespers prayers last night, the Holy Father announced a few new discoveries in Rome. The oldest known icon of St. Paul, dating back to the 4th century, has been discovered in the tombs of St. Thecla. It has his characteristic furrowed forehead in the icon. See the following two photos. (more after the photos).




The second major announcement deals with the studying of the sarcophagus found under the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Carbon dating finds the bones date to the 1st or 2nd century. With the bones were found a very rich purple fabric and grains of incense. Tradition tells us that St. Paul was buried here and study seems to point to the validity of that claim. The Holy Father wanted to make St. Paul better known to us during this year. In the end, he's been known historically as well as spiritually.