Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross
| Signum Sacri Itineris Hierosolymitani | |
|---|---|
|
Obverse of the medal | |
| Awarded by His Holiness the Pope. | |
| Country |
 Vatican City |
| Type | Three degree medal (Gold, Silver and Bronze) |
| Eligibility | Practicing Roman Catholics |
| Awarded for | Merit |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 2 May 1901 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Benemerenti medal |
| Related | Papal Lateran Cross |
 Ribbon of the medal | |
The Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross (Latin: Signum Sacri Itineris Hierosolymitani) is an honour awarded by the Pope as a recognition of merit to pilgrims to the Holy Land.[1]
The medal is never sent and can only be conferred at the office of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, belonging to the Franciscan order.[1] He presents it in the name of the Sovereign Pontiff.[1]
The decoration is worn on the left side of the chest. It may not be worn except in religious solemnities, processions or pilgrimages, or in the presence of the Pope.[1]
History
The Signum Sacri Itineris Hierosolymitani was established by Pope Leo XIII on 2 May 1901 to honour and to endorse pilgrimage to the Holy Places of Christianity in Palestine.[1]
A certificate from a parish pastor was originally needed attest to the morality of the candidate and affirm that there was a pious motive to undertake the voyage.[1] As of 2015, a certificate is no longer needed.[1] The medal is never sent and can only be conferred at the office of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, belonging to the Franciscan order.[1] He presents it in the name of the Sovereign Pontiff.[1]
Insignia
The medal is a Jerusalem cross in gold, silver or bronze. The centre of the front is a small depiction of Pope Leo XIII with the surrounding Latin inscription LEO XIII CREAVIT ANNO MCM (Leo XIII created [this medal] in 1900).[1] In the crossbars, there are four biblical scenes showing the early life and the ministry of Jesus with the inscription CHRISTI AMOR CRUCIFIXI TRAXIT NOS (Christ's love attracted us):[1]
In the center of the reverse, there is the image of the risen Christ. The crossbars show four scenes of the Passion with the inscription SIGNUM SACRI ITINERIS HIEROSOL[YMITANI] (Sign of the holy voyage of Jerusalem):[1]
- Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Flagellation of Christ
- Jesus wearing the crown of thorns
- Crucifixion of Jesus
The cross is suspended from a ribbon of red silk with four blue stripes in the middle. On the edges at each side runs a white band broken by a dark yellow bar.[1]
References
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