One Agnus Dei wax disk is from the pontificate of Pope Benedict XV, and the other, from Pope Clement XIV

The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) pieces were cylinders or small disks of wax that were created by melting the previous year’s Easter candles of Rome’s churches. This took place at the beginning of Lent each year. They were put in a big caudron and melted. From them, small disks of wax were created with a picture of the Lamb of God on them.

Sometimes a saint was put on the other side of the disk. The pope’s name and sometimes his coat of arms were included as well as the year.

Chrism oil was also poured into the cauldon. The pope blessed them and they were given as sacramentals to pilgrims to Rome. Pilgrims experienced a connection to the paschal candle, to the chrism oil and to the pope himself.