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Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron today (June 29) received a pallium (pal-ee-um), a thin, scarf-like vestment, from Pope Benedict XVI in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica.

The pallium is symbolic of Archbishop Vigneron's pastoral authority and unity with the Holy See. Made of lamb's wool, it is worn around the shoulders and resembles the letter 'Y'. It signifies an archbishop's unique role in his regional grouping of dioceses known as a province. (The seven dioceses of Michigan make up the Province of Detroit.) It is presented at the Vatican to the resident bishop of an archdiocese.

Archbishop Vigneron was among five archbishops from the United States who received pallia (plural for pallium). Also receiving a pallium were Robert J. Carlson, the former head of the Saginaw Diocese who is now archbishop of St. Louis; Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York; Gregory M. Aymond, the archbishop of New Orleans; and George J. Lucas, the archbishop of Omaha. A total of 34 archbishops from around the world received pallia at the ceremony.

During his pilgrimage to the Vatican to receive the pallium, Archbishop Vigneron is blogging his experience at www.AODonline.wordpress.com.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the Solemn Mass of Saints Peter and Paul, along with the Imposition of Pallium to new archbishops and the Solemn Closing of the Pauline Year, at 3:30 a.m. (Detroit time) today, Monday, June 29. The Catholic Television Network of Detroit (CTND), the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), and the Archdiocese of Detroit Web site provided live coverage and will rebroadcast the ceremony later today, June 29, at 11:30 a.m.

In addition, CTND and the Archdiocese of Detroit Web site will rebroadcast the ceremony on Tuesday, June 30, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, July 8, at 4 p.m.; and on Friday, July 10, at 12 p.m. For channel information, call the Catholic Television Office at (313) 237-5938 or visit the Archdiocese of Detroit