The Hosanna Cross

The Cross of the Missions, known as the ‘Hosanna Cross’, erected in 1848 and restored in 2008, is the Christian symbol of the Passion of Christ. It features: - The cockerel, symbolising the denial of the Apostle Peter - The chalice bearing the monogram IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator = Jesus, Saviour of mankind) - The inscription affixed to the cross by Pilate: INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaerum = Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) - Veronica’s veil bearing the imprint of Christ’s face - The crown of thorns encircling a flaming heart, symbolising the love of Christ who died to save mankind - The sun, recalling that the sun was darkened at the very moment of Jesus’ death, and the moon, symbolising the eclipse that followed - The purse containing 30 pieces of silver given to Judas as payment for his betrayal - The hammer, the three nails of the crucifixion and the tongs used to take the body down from the cross - The hand of the guard who struck Jesus - Jesus’ tunic, and the dice with which the Roman soldiers cast lots for it - The ladder used to bring down the body of the crucified man - The sword with which Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant; the spear that pierced Jesus’ side to ensure his death; the hyssop branch bearing, fixed to its end, the sponge soaked in vinegar intended to moisten the lips of the crucified man - The rope with which Judas hanged himself On the left arm of the cross, next to the hand, the basin with which Pontius Pilate washed his hands has disappeared. Source: Ginette Gaye