| Lauretan Cross Loreto Cross | |
|---|---|
| Type | Three degree medal (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)[1] |
| Awarded for | Merit in relation to theBasilica della Santa Casa[1] Donations to the sanctuary[1] |
| Country |  Holy See |
| Presented by | Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Loreto with authorisation ofThe 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 |
TheLauretan Cross was a decoration for recognition of support to theHoly House of Loreto in 1888. It was bestowed by theRoman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Loreto with authorisation ofthe Holy See.
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 theRomagna. The order was founded in 1586 byLeo X and already dissolved as achivalric order and limited only to the members of thecathedral chapter of the Holy House of Loreto in 1588.[1]
To commemorate the thirdcentenary 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 theBasilica 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 underPaul VI.[1]
The decoration consists of aneight-pointed cross and amedallion with the image of theLady 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 acord.[1]
The three classes of the Lauretan Cross (with theirribbons) are:
1st class: golden cross with blueenameled 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 blueenameled 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 ofgildedbronze; 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 thereverse 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]
| Orders of the Holy See | |
|---|---|
| Orders under protection of the Holy See (with distinctions) | |
| Other distinctions | |
| Defunct/dormant distinctions (selection) |
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| See also | |
