Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei is a Latin expression whose meaning is Lamb of God. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (cf. Jn 1:29,36).
This expression is understood in the context of the Jewish religion, which offered to God, in sacrifice, lambs and other animals to atone for the sins of the people. But the lamb had an even deeper meaning, as it was the mainstay of the Passover meal, eaten by the Jews every year in memory of their liberation from Egypt. John the Baptist says that Jesus is the true Lamb who frees and saves from sin, because he comes from God and is not a creature offered to God by men.

Later, St Paul would refer to Christ as “our paschal lamb” who “was slain” (cf. 1 Cor 5:7). The same happens in the 1st Letter of Saint Peter (1, 19), where it is said that we have been redeemed “by the precious blood” of Christ, the “Lamb without blemish”. The figure of the Lamb who was slain but lives forever dominates the Book of Revelation (the last book of the Bible), always referring to Christ in the fullness of his divine power.

In the Catholic liturgy, the expression Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is present, above all, in the celebration of the Eucharist. It is used in the rite of communion, immediately after the “embrace of peace”, sung or recited ( Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world …); then, after the breaking of the bread, the priest raises the host before the assembly and proclaims: “Blessed are those invited to the Lord’s Supper. Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world “.

In Christian iconography, the image of the Lamb appears numerous times with a cross, representing Christ conquering death. In traditional Latin painting and sculpture, the Lamb with the cross can be associated with the expression Agnus Dei . This image often appears in mosaics and stained glass in churches. This is the case of the Basilica of Santíssima Trindade, in Fátima , in which the Lamb dominates the center of the mosaics that fill the wall behind the altar.

The name of Agnus Dei is also given to medallions, round or oval in shape, with the figure of the mystical Lamb of the Apocalypse.

Origin of Agnus Dei 

Devotion to Agnus Dei has existed since the beginning of the Church. It is written in the Gospel, drawn in the catacombs and, since the beginning, it has been used as a medal, pendant, ornament and a powerful Catholic Christian religious symbol. But why did this devotion sink so deeply into the hearts of the Christian people? Let’s understand.

What does lamb mean?

To understand the depth of this devotion, we need to understand what the lamb meant in the Jewish world, to which St. John the Baptist and Jesus himself belonged. The lamb was the perfect animal for the sacrifices of atonement for sins, which were offered in the temple of Jerusalem. Every faithful Jew, when he could, bought a lamb without blemishes (this was essential) and offered it in the Temple. A priest was in charge of taking the live lamb, sacrificing it and offering the animal’s blood and body in a purification ritual. At the end of the sacrifice, the lamb was burned and the smoke that rose symbolized the request for forgiveness from God. This sacrifice had to be repeated countless times in the lives of the faithful.

Jesus, the Lamb who takes away sin

Thus, when St. John the Baptist claims that Jesus is the Lamb of God, he is prophesying. Indeed, Jesus assumed the role of the Lamb, but in a much higher and more definitive way. In the Jewish sacrifice, the lamb was passive, it was sacrificed. In Jesus’ sacrifice, the Lamb of God is active. It is he who offers himself and sacrifices himself, it is he who offers his own blood as a sign of the forgiveness of sins, of salvation for everyone who believes. Jesus’ sacrifice was offered once and for all. You don’t need to repeat yourself anymore. He is, yes, always renewed and updated in every Holy Mass. Yes. At Mass, Jesus offers himself anew and consecrates himself by transforming wine and bread into his body and blood. He is the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God renewing his sacrifice for us all.

The Meekness of the Lamb

The Lamb has a very special symbolism in the devotion to Agnus Dei. That’s because the lamb is a meek, humble, harmless, peaceful and kind animal, as Jesus is. The lamb is an animal that suffers in silence, it doesn’t make a fuss. So was Jesus. He sacrificed himself, shed his blood for each one of us as a demonstration of infinite love and, as the prophet Isaiah says, “he did not open his mouth” . And Jesus’ sacrifice ended the need for lamb sacrifices, for the Son of God himself came and sacrificed himself for us once and for all.

The richness of devotion to Agnus Dei

Therefore, the devotion to Agnus Dei is the devotion of trust and surrender to the unconditional love of Christ. It’s knowing: Jesus loves me and gave himself up for me! It is also the devotion of meekness, peace, self-offering for love, goodness and mercy. It is also devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Note that in the representation of the Agnus Dei there is always a mark of blood that spurts from the breast of the Lamb, symbolizing the blood that Jesus offered for us.

The protection of Agnus Dei

The pious use of the Agnus Dei, either as a medal, locket, pendant or rosary, is associated with protection against the evils, dangers and temptations of this life. It is necessary to understand, however, that this protection refers much more to the spiritual world and to the salvation of our souls, than the simple deliverance from temporal dangers. Devotion to Agnus Dei must fill us with love and gratitude to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who sacrificed himself and shed his blood for us, to demonstrate irrefutably that he loves us infinitely. This is the great meaning of devotion to Agnus Dei. Gratitude. Infinite gratitude to Jesus who loves us so much.

object of devotion

“Agnus Dei” is also a sacramental object of the Catholic Church. It is made from the wax left over from the Paschal Candle, with the addition of another common one, blessed by the pope. In the Vatican, the wax from the previous year’s Paschal Candle is used to make the “Agnus Dei” (Lamb of God), which many Catholics wear around their necks; it is a valuable sacramental to protect us from the dangers of this life, as it is made from the Candle which represents the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It is made of white wax on which the figure of a lamb is imprinted, symbol of the Immolated Lamb to repair the sins of the world.

These “Agnus Dei” are dipped by the Pope in water mixed with balsam and the Sacred Oil of Chrismation. The Supreme Pontiff raises deep prayers to God, imploring the faithful who use them with faith, the following graces: expelling temptations, increasing piety, removing lukewarmness, the dangers of poison and sudden death, freeing from snares, preserving from lightning. , storms, from the dangers of waves and fire – preventing any enemy force from harming us – helping mothers in the birth of children. It is solemnly blessed by the Holy Father during Easter week, in the first year of his pontificate, and then, every seven years, it is distributed on Saturday IN ALBIS (first Saturday after Easter).

This medal usually has an oval shape and is usually made of gold or silver metal. On the one hand, they bear the image of the Paschal Lamb lying on the Book of Revelation with seven seals (cf. 5,1) and accompanied by the couplet: “Ecce Agnus Dei qui tollit peccata mundi”, as well as the name of the pope who blessed the medallion; on the other side, they present the image of a saint or the commemorative symbol of an important event.

These “sacramentals” have the function of contributing to the sanctification of the person who uses them. The Church recommends using it with faith and devotion in Christ – Lamb of God, to protect against calamities and evils of body and soul.