The Lauretan Cross was a decoration for recognition of support to the Holy House of Loreto in 1888. It was bestowed by the Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Loreto with authorisation of the Holy See.
| Lauretan Cross Loreto Cross | |
|---|---|
| Type | Three degree medal (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)[1] |
| Awarded for | Merit in relation to the Basilica della Santa Casa[1] Donations to the sanctuary[1] |
| Country |  Holy See |
| Presented by | Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Loreto with authorisation of The Holy See |
| Status | Obsolete[2] |
| Established | November 26, 1888[1] |
 Ribbon of the Lauretan Cross 1st Class | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Benemerenti Medal |
| Equivalent | Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross Lateran Cross |
History edit
The Lauretan Cross was supposed to continue the legacy of the short-lived Order of the Knights of Loreto.[2] Its task was to fight the highwaymen who harassed the surrounding area of the sanctuary and the pilgrims in the Romagna. The order was founded in 1586 by Leo X and already dissolved as a chivalric order and limited only to the members of the cathedral chapter of the Holy House of Loreto in 1588.[1]
To commemorate the third centenary of the conversion, Leo XIII allowed the Bishop of Loreto to honor suitable persons on 26 November 1888.[1] The decoration was awarded for donations for the Basilica della Santa Casa or merit in relation to the sanctuary.[1] Furthermore, indulgences were granted for obtaining the decoration.[1]
The Lauretan Cross was in abeyance in 1983 but might have been abolished earlier under Paul VI.[1]
Appearance edit
The decoration consists of an eight-pointed cross and a medallion with the image of the Lady of Loreto in the middle which is similar to the medal of the Order of the Knights of Loreto.[2] A golden ribbon winds between the four arms of the cross. Members of the cathedral chapter of Loreto wore the cross suspended on a cord.[1]
The three classes of the Lauretan Cross (with their ribbons) are:
1st class: golden cross with blue enameled cross arms and white enameled medallion; blue ribbon with two white stripes on the border which have a thin yellow line in the middle; worn around the neck[1]
2nd class: golden cross with blue enameled cross arms and white enameled medallion; the ribbon is red, with delicate lines of white and yellow on each border; worn on the left side of the breast [1]- 3rd class: cross entirely made of gilded bronze; the ribbon is red, with delicate lines of white and yellow on each border; worn on the left side of the breast[1]
Stamped on the reverse side are the words "BENEMERENTIBUS QUIBUS CORDI EST DECOR DOMUS LAURETANAE", "VIRIS LECTISSIMUS QUIBUS CORDI EST DECOR DOMUS LAURETANAE" or "FEMINIS LECTISSIMUS QUIBUS CORDI".[1]