Chapter I. On the figure of the cross represented on the medal
A Christian needs but reflect for a moment on the sovereign virtue of the cross of Jesus Christ, in order to understand how worthy of respect a medal is on which it is represented. The cross was the instrument of the world’s redemption; it is the saving tree whereon was expiated the sin committed by man, when he ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. St. Paul tells us that the sentence of our condemnation was fastened to the cross, and blotted out by the blood of our Redeemer. 1 In a word, the cross, which the Church salutes as our only hope , “ Spes\tJnica” is "to appear at the last day in the clouds q£lteaven astthe'ttipphy of the victory of the Man-God.
The image, of the cross excites in our minds the liveliest sentiments of gratitude towards God for the benefit of pur" salvation. After the;Rkssed Sacrament, there is nothing on earth so deserving, our respect as the cross; and it is for this reason that we pay it a worship of iidOJatiop which is. referred to God, whose precious blood* Ytf$Mp9t upon It.\ \ *
Animated by sentiments of the purest religion, the primitive Christians had, from the very beginning of the Church, the profoundest veneration for the image of the cross, and the Fathers seem never to tire in the praises they give to this august sign. When, after three hundred years of persecution, God had decreed to give peace to His Church, there appeared in the heavens a cross, on which were these words, “ In this sign shalt thou conquer;” and the Emperor Constantine, to
1 I Col. ii. 14.
THE CROSS REPRESENTED ON THE MEpAL. 3 whom was granted this vision, promising him victory over his enemies, would henceforth have his army go to battle under a standard bearing the image of the cross with the monogram of the word 66 Christ.” This standard was called the Labarum .
The cross is an object of terror to the evil spirits; they ever crouch in terror before it ; they no sooner see it than they let go their prey and take to flight. In a word, of such importance to Christians is the cross and the blessing it brings along with it, that from the times of the Apostles, down to our own age, the faithful have ever been accustomed frequently to make the sign of the cross upon themselves, and the priests of the Church have constantly used it over all the objects which’, in virtue of their sacerdotal character, they have the power to bless and sanctify.
Our medal, therefore, which firstly offers to us the figure of the cross, is in strict accordance with Christian piety, and worthy, even were there no other motive than this, of all possible veneration.
Chapter 3 of 18