Red Silk Stole Presented to Pope John Paul II, January 1999

This red silk stole was presented to Pope John Paul II during his visit to St. Louis in January 1999. He wore it at the youth prayer rally at Kiel Center on January 26 and returned it to the St. Louis Archdiocese where it is now on display in the cathedral crypt.

Hand embroidered on the right side of the stole are the three primary patron saints of the St. Louis Archdiocese: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Louis IX, King of France. On the left side, framed in embroidered gold wings, are images of the four evangelists, Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (ox), and John (eagle-not shown). Not visible at the bottom of the stole is the fleur-de-lis and the papal coat of arms.

The stole was designed by Sister Hiltrudis Powers, CPPS, and stitched by several members of the Ecclesiastical Art Department of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, Missouri.