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Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will receive a pallium (pal-ee-um), a scarf-like vestment, from Pope Benedict XVI in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica on Monday, June 29. 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'. The pallium 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 is among five archbishops from the United States who will receive pallia (plural for pallium). Also receiving a pallium is 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 will receive 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 will celebrate 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) on Monday, June 29. The Catholic Television Network of Detroit (CTND), the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), and the Archdiocese of Detroit Web site (click on the CTND logo) will provide live coverage at 3:30 a.m. and then rebroadcast the ceremony later that day 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 Web site.