Ombrellino and tintinnabulum have long history associated with papacy, rector says

Royal Oak — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron celebrated the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux on Oct. 2 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, marking the basilica’s patronal feast by blessing two symbols of its new status as a church closely associated with the Holy See.

During the Mass, the archbishop blessed the basilica’s ombrellino and tintinnabulum, ornamentation traditionally associated with the papacy and used in procession during liturgical rites of papal significance. Pope Francis elevated the Shrine to the status of a minor basilica, the first in the history of the Archdiocese of Detroit, on Jan. 31, 2015.

In blessing the objects, the archbishop noted that the basilica’s role as a prominent church means its people must help lead the way in the New Evangelization.

“I think this is especially important as the feast day for all of us here as we move toward the synod for the Shrine parish once again to be committed to what we’re calling ‘Unleash the Gospel,’ our initiative to take up the New Evangelization,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “This parish is particularly a community of trustees of the ‘Little Way’ of St. Therese, and how that ‘Little Way’ plays such an important part in our efforts to unleash the Gospel.”

Fr. Robert Fisher, rector and pastor of the basilica, said the ombrellino and tintinnabulum will be permanently displayed in the church’s balcony when they aren’t being carried in procession during celebrations such as the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, SS. Peter and Paul, or the feast of St. Therese.

The ombrellino, which resembles a half-closed umbrella, is embroidered with the several crests and symbols, including the crossed keys of the Holy See, the personal crests of Archbishop Vigneron and Pope Francis, the crest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and a newly designed crest for the basilica itself.

The basilica’s crest, Fr. Fisher said, incorporates oak leaves representing the city of Royal Oak, stars from the archdiocesan crest, and roses representing St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower” herself.

“On the bottom is the personal motto of St. Therese’s personal crest, which in French means ‘Love is repaid by love alone,’” Fr. Fisher said.

Fr. Fisher said the tintinnabulum — a special bell carried in procession — and ombrellino traditionally alerted people to the pope’s arrival and today continue to be symbols associated with his authority.

“In medieval times these items were used when the Holy Father went from place to place. The bell was rung to let people know the Holy Father was coming, and the ombrellino was used to shelter him from the elements,” Fr. Fisher said.

In its half-closed state, the ombrellino likely couldn’t be used as a rain stopper, Fr. Fisher said, but that, too, is part of its tradition.

“It looks like it would be difficult to stand under this right now, but that’s because the tradition is for it to be half-closed but ready should the Holy Father ever come to visit to our parish and to our diocese,” he said.

The feast of St. Therese is one of a handful of days each year when the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence for attending Mass or a religious function at the Shrine, assuming other conditions for an indulgence are met.