Pope Benedict XVI's last big Mass before a summer's rest revolves around a symbol of how his ministry as shepherd is shared with archbishops scattered across the globe.The pallium -- a round woolen band with two black-tipped strips -- is worn around the shoulders over liturgical vestments to evoke the image of the Good Shepherd carrying a sheep back to the fold.
Pope Benedict wears one and, each June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, he places a pallium around the shoulders of prelates who in the past year have been named to head archdioceses.
The liturgical vestment, made from the wool of lambs blessed by the pope each year on the feast of St. Agnes, is a strictly pastoral symbol for those with a flock.
Archbishops who serve as secretaries of Vatican congregations or as Vatican ambassadors around the globe do not receive one.
The office in charge of organizing papal liturgies said June 17 that at least 35 archbishops would receive a pallium in 2010; the timing of an archbishop's nomination and installation as well as travel arrangements mean that the list is not finalized until very close to the date of the Mass.
U.S. and Canadian archbishops on the list will include Archbishops Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee; Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati; Thomas G. Wenski of Miami; and Albert LeGatt of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba.
SIC: CNS