Agnus Dei Wax Disc of The Virgin Mary in Napoleon III Oval Frame With Gilded Studs, Very Rare Circa 1860

Agnus Dei Wax Disc of The Virgin Mary in Napoleon III Oval Frame With Gilded Studs, Very Rare Circa 1860

The tradition of creating and blessing these discs has been an important part of Catholic liturgy. The discs were originally created on Holy Saturday morning and distributed to the faithful on the following Saturday. Over time, the blessing of the "Agnus Dei" discs became a reserved blessing of the pope, who would consecrate them during the first year of his pontificate and every seven years thereafter. The ceremony was held in the audience hall room behind the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica and was considered so solemn that it was called a "consecration"

Pope Pius XII was the last reigning pontiff to bestow this blessing, and the tradition has since faded. However, the "Agnus Dei" disc remains a significant sacramental in the history of the Catholic Church, symbolizing the Easter victory of Christ and serving as a constant reminder of the Mysteries of Redemption.

Since the death of Pope Pious XII in 1958 no further examples have been created.

These wonderful relics, whilst not common, are usually in the form of ASgnus Dei - The Lamb of God. It is very rare to find one that has been created with the image of The Virgin Mary. The inscription on the wax disc is Matre Dei Vitoris Ora Pro Nobis - Mother of God Pray For Us.

The reliquary measures 14 x 11.5 centimetres and has its original hand made glass dome.