The sacraments refer to the seven most important rituals in Roman Catholicism. Through the sacraments, followers are able to experience the true presence of God and receive His grace. These seven rituals are:
- Baptism (Christening): The ritual cleansing of the original sin, it marks the entrance of a person into the family of Catholics. Confirmation (Chrismation): Those baptized are then admitted into the grace of God, serving to solidify their belief while testifying to God's love.
- Confirmation (Chrismation): Those baptized are then admitted into the grace of God, serving to solidify their belief while testifying to God’s love.
- Eucharist (Communion): In this sacrament, the Catholic partakes of the body and blood of Jesus Christ and joins in union with Him.
- Confession (Penance): With God's forgiveness of a believer's sins, he or she is able to become closer to God and others.
- Anointing the Sick: Through the grace of God, the body and soul of the believer can experience relief from suffering and even comfort and healing.
- Matrimony (Sacramental Marriage): The union of a man and a woman means committing to a love marked by self-sacrifice, agreeing to enter into a covenant of lifelong care for each other.
- Ordination: This is the sacrament in which male Catholics are ordained as bishops and priests dedicated to the ecumenical service of all people in the name of God.
In the Sacristy of the Pope are various liturgical objects that have been used by him to carry out the sacraments, including chalices, patens, ciboria, bells, bugias, ewers, monstrances, amphoras, and others.
Ecce Homo: Altarpiece of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903)
- Made by Eugenio Bellosio
- 1887, Milan, Italy
- Silver gilt; rubies, diamonds, enamels
- Length: 29.5 cm, width: 13 cm, height: 7.5 cm
- Collection of the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff
The altarpiece (osculatorium) is a small tablet to be kissed and belongs to the altar set of Pope Leo XIII, the main gift of the people of Milan for his Jubilee of priesthood. This particular object is the gift given by the association SODALITAS OPERARIA MEDIOLANENSIS S. RAPHAELIS.
A peace-shaped shrine in the Gothic Revival style, it is made of silver gilt with stones and enamels. The top object has four lateral pinnacles, while an angel stands at the center carrying a crosier in his hand and a pear-shaped red stone over his head. The pinnacles are placed in a rich decoration with a background of red and blue enamels, and in the center is a circular medallion with a blue cross inside on which are embedded stones red and shiny.
The central part of the tablet has a large representation embossed in silver of the Ecce Homo. Jesus' joined hands hold the cane; his head is bent down, with the crown of thorns and a rich halo of stones covered with transparent color (probably small diamonds). Both sides, on top of twisted columns, have an angel in relief, their hands folded on the chest and a pearshaped red stone on the head of each. The lower part of the tablet has the chiseled embossed coat of arms of Pope Leo XIII on the white enamel blue inserted in a Gothic decoration with elements similar to slots on a red background. Below the coat of arms is a small screwed plaque with a Latin inscription. On the back side is a grip, and, below that, an engraved inscription. Also the sub-base carries a small inscription with the author's name, the source and the date.
Inscriptions:
a) pacem meam do vobis
b) LEONI XIII / AUREAS SACERDOTALES CELEBRANTI
NUPTIAS / SODALITAS OPERARIA MEDIOLANENSIS S.
RAPHAELIS
c) BELLOSIO EUGENIO F. / MILANO 1887
