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| Author | Topic: Papal Silver |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 04-02-2005 02:59 PM
  
[01-2284] Catholics and non-Catholics are saddened by the Pope's passing. I have been listening to the news reports and one in particular caught my attention. When the Pope dies, there are all kinds of rituals that will be followed (i.e., 9 days of mourning, Cardinals to gather in 15-20 days, etc.). One report described the ritual at the moment of death. All those closest to the Pope call out this name 3 times and then they tap the Pope on the forehead with a silver hammer. The how and why of this ritual wasn't explained. They did add that it was the same silver hammer that will be later used to smash the papal ring. Again they didn't explain the ritual of smashing the ring nor did the report say what happens with the smashed bits. Besides the obvious questions about the rituals, I thought that forum members might be able to give us insights about the silver hammer. For example: is it the same hammer or a new hammer each time? Who made/makes it? Is there a papal silversmith that makes the papal ring and hammer? IP: Logged |
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Kayvee Posts: 204 |
posted 04-02-2005 04:25 PM
The ritual of the silver hammer instantly caught my attention, also. A quick search yields the following information. In 2003 there was an exhibit entitled "Saint Peter and the Vatican: the legacy of the Popes" that visited Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Cincinnati and San Diego. Among the 350 objects on display was a "20th Century ceremonial hammer for the verification of the death of the Pope made of ebony and silver gilt." Apparently this object had been used. Did any Forum members see this exhibit and remember the hammer or have the catalog description of it? Can we assume that such a hammer is made for every Pope? The same hammer is used to break the Papal ring and to deface his seal to preclude forgery of official documents following his death. I have subsequently found a link to an image of the hammer at It is slide number 49 in the list. No dimensions or description are given IP: Logged |
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Heather Posts: 46 |
posted 04-05-2005 04:29 PM
Scott asked what happens to the papel ring. I just heard on CNN that the pieces will be placed in his coffin. [This message has been edited by Heather (edited 04-05-2005).] IP: Logged |
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tmockait Posts: 963 |
posted 04-05-2005 10:44 PM
The New York Times today reported that the hammer test is no longer used. In the words of one of the Cardinals, "We have other methods today." Tom IP: Logged |
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blakstone Posts: 493 |
posted 04-05-2005 11:58 PM
I wonder if it is the same silver hammer which the pontiff used to strike the door of St. Peter's basilica on New Year's 2000 to usher in the bimillenium? And the NYT not withstanding, the Camerlengo, whose responsibility it is to perform the ancient hammer ritual, is a Spaniard, so I feel confident that he dutifully performed it while no one was looking. IP: Logged |
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