Agnus Dei, 1700, undated, bulk: 1926–1968

File — Box: 71 (relics), tray: 1, Item: 1-4

Scope and Contents

From the Sub-Series:

Candles and candle holders for personal and liturgical use, including Agnus Dei wax discs, bugia, candles for special occasions such as ordinations, and candlesticks for altar candles.

Dates

Creation: 1700, undated
Creation: Majority of material found within 1926–1968

Creator

From the Collection: Leonard, William J. (1908-2000) (Compiler, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

This collection is mostly in English, with some materials in French, German, Italian, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovenian, and Spanish.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Definition and use

An Agnus Dei is a blessed wax disc made of the previous year's paschal candle, stamped with an image of a lamb, and kept as an amulet or a devotional object. A paschal candle is an exceptionally large pillar candle lit for baptisms and particular feasts. It is blessed on Holy Saturday and lit for the first time each year at the Easter Vigil.

Sources:

Thurston, Herbert. "Agnus Dei." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company, 1907. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01220a.htm.

Thurston, Herbert. "Paschal Candle." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company, 1911. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11515b.htm.

Walsh, M.J. "Agnus Dei." In A Dictionary of Devotions. Continuum, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781350993815-013.