Talks on the Sacramentals, By Msgr Arthur Tonne - Agnus Dei

 "Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." St. John, 1:29.

Elizabeth reigned as queen of England from 1558 until 1603. In the fifteenth year of her reign Bloody Bess had the parliament pass a law that "if any person shall bring into the realm of England any token or tokens, thing or things called or named by the name of Agnus Dei (which said Agnus Dei is used to be specially hallowed and consecrated, as it is termed, by the Bishop of Rome in his own person), and shall deliver the same to any subject, he shall incur the penalty of Praemunire."

This was a very severe punishment placing the offender out of the king's protection, and his lands and tenements, goods and chattels forfeit to the king: and his body shall remain in prison at the king's pleasure.

After passing such a senseless law aimed at the Apostolic See one would hardly expect the quick-tempered queen to give in to silly superstition. Yet, an historian tells us that is exactly what she did. One of her close counsellors presented her with a piece of gold, marked with small characters, which an old woman in Wales bequeathed to the queen. The Welsh woman maintained that this gold coin had kept her alive for over one hundred years, that the queen could not die as long as she wore it upon her body. What did the queen do but accept the piece of gold and wear it upon the ruff or collar of her dress. As we know, the queen died just the same.

What was this Agnus Dei, which Queen Elizabeth forbade to be brought into her country, and which she forbade to be worn by any Englishman? Agnus Dei means Lamb of God. The Agnus Dei is a sacramental. It is a small piece of wax, impressed with the figure of a lamb bearing a banner, blessed by the Pope. It is a symbol and reminder of our blessed Lord, "The Lamb of God."

The wax typifies the Body of Christ. The lamb is a symbol or figure of the Victim of Calvary. The banner reminds us of the victory of our Lord over sin and death.

The Agnus Dei is blessed only by the Pope. It may be round, oval, or oblong, and may vary in size from one inch to six inches in diameter. The name and coat-of-arms of the Holy Father, or some emblem like a cross or flag may be stamped upon it. It is usually enclosed in a leathern or silken cover, and is intended to be hung about the neck, or displayed with respect in the home.

The use of Agnus Dei or Lamb of God sacramentals probably goes back to the fifth century or earlier. The Empress Maria Augusta, wife of the Emperor Honorius, died in the fourth century. In her tomb a waxen amulet was found resembling the Agnus Dei. It was customary in her day for the people to secure fragments of the paschal candle and to keep them as safeguards against tempest and epidemic. The use of the Agnus Dei may have begun from this practice. About the ninth century the Popes began to bless them and send them to various parts of the world.

They are now blessed in the first year of the Pope's reign and every seventh year thereafter, on the Wednesday of Easter week. On the following Saturday, the Vigil of Low Sunday, they are solemnly distributed to the cardinals and others. After the Agnus Dei of the Mass the Pope puts a packet of these Agnus Dei into the inverted miter of each cardinal and bishop who comes up to receive them.

The prayers used in this blessing show that the Agnus Dei is intended as a protection against the spirits of evil, against sickness, tempests, temptations, and sudden death. They are also intended to help women expecting motherhood.

The Agnus Dei may be worn suspended from the neck or carried in any other way. There are no indulgences attached to it. Nor is there any obligation to use it. The manufacture of counterfeits, and even the painting and ornamentation of genuine Agnus Dei, has been strictly prohibited by various papal bulls.

The meaning of the Agnus Dei is best gathered from the prayers used in blessing them. It has two particular meanings:

1. Agnus Dei means Lamb of God. Christ is the Lamb of God. Often in the Old and the New Testaments the lamb is a figure of Christ. His meekness is frequently compared to that of the lamb. Like a lamb, Christ was sacrificed for all of us.

These discs of wax typify the virgin flesh of Christ; the cross with the lamb suggests the Victim in the sacrifice; and, as of old the blood of the paschal lamb protected each household from the destroying angel, so these consecrated medallions protect those who wear them from many evil influences.

2. The second purpose of the Agnus Dei refers to the newly baptized. These have put on Christ, as St. Paul tells us. They have been taken into His Mystical Body; they have become new lambs of His flock. As such they are bound to imitate His virtues, especially meekness and humility, as Christ Himself said:

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." St. Matthew, 11:29.

Meekness and humility are characteristic of the lamb. In his triumph over the powers of darkness our Lord is indeed the Lion of the tribe of Juda, but among His followers He is the Lamb, model of meekness and humility, model of purity like the spotless whiteness of the wax, model of sacrifice and penance like the lamb slain for the sins of men.

St. John pointed to Jesus and declared:

"Behold the Lamb of God."

Many do not understand. Many make fun of such material helps to remind us of the Lamb of God. Many, like Queen Elizabeth, go to other extremes in the way of superstition.

May you and I behold the Lamb of God constantly. May we keep Him ever in our thoughts and in our living. As with many other of the sacramentals, that is the principal purpose of the Agnus Dei. May the thought of the Agnus Dei help us ever to keep the Lamb of God in mind. Amen.