Our new wool scarves are not only woven with theological designs but the textile itself is steeped in Scriptural and historical meaning.
Traditionally, wool is the textile used in priestly and religious garments to emphasize humility, obedience, and purity of heart.
Most wool is sourced from sheep. A sheep’s wool coat is covered in natural oils known as lanolin to protect it from rain and debris. The natural oils coating the wool can remind us of the anointing of the Holy Spirit
protecting and covering us. The holy oils used in the sacraments tangibly signify the healing offered to us.
When we wear wool, we can contemplate Christ as the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for us the sheep (John 10:11). In the Psalms we see the connection of wool pointing to both anointing and Christ as the Good Shepherd as David sings, “The Lord is my shepherd…You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:1,5). As we put on wool, we remind ourselves that we are the sheep of the Lord who He anoints with the outpouring of His Spirit and covers us in grace.
St. Albert the Great explains the significance of wool as connected to Christ as the Paschal Lamb stating, “Wool is sheared from a sheep…the sheep is our Lord Jesus Christ of whom it is said, Isaiah 53:7 ‘He shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth.’ and in John 1:29 says, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ It is from that sheep that the woman [of Proverbs 31] shears six kinds of wool.” Anytime we wear wool we can remind ourselves, “I choose to put on Christ today” and it can act as a tangible reminder to be gentle with ourselves and merciful to those around us.
Wool is also an image of prophecy. It reminds us of the shepherds who modeled discipleship (Luke 2:8-
20)–those who went in haste with their families and flocks to see the infant Messiah. Prophets are those who proclaim truth and witness to the Gospel. We reflect our baptismal role as prophet when we wear wool as those early evangelists on Christmas night–the shepherds who immediately went into the town to share what they had just seen (Luke 2:17).
In addition to the Scriptural significance, wool inspires us to witness boldly to the faith in the face of obstacles as St. Blaise is honored as the patron saint of wool combers since this was the likely tool of his torture prior to his death.
Next time you wear wool, we hope it becomes an opportunity for prayer and a reminder of the nearness of
Christ!
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