A mission cross (german: Missionskreuz) commemorates a "people's mission" (german: Volksmissionen) that has taken place in a parish. These were common throughout Europe prior to the 20th century, and the tradition continues. The cross is usually inscribed with the year of the mission with a common inscription like, "Save your soul!"

Background

In the 17th and 18th centuries, small groups of two or three padres of the

Jesuit order , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

went from parish to parish. They often stayed for several weeks as part of a "people's mission" with the aim of "renewing the faith of the Christian people" as, for example, the 1954 statues of the

Bishopric of Aachen The Diocese of Aachen is one of 27 dioceses in Germany and one of the six dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Cologne. The incumbent bishop is Helmut Dieser, who was appointed by Pope Francis on 23 September 2016. The bishop's seat is Aach ...

commemorate. That was the task of the Jesuit priests even in the 18th century, albeit probably stated differently. In the following centuries, regular missions were undertaken, later also by members of other orders. The padres held numerous events, masses and sermons - formerly delivered separately to men and married women, single adults, young people, and children - as well as times of worship, confession, house visits and other activities. The years when the popular mission weeks were undertaken are usually shown on 20th century mission crosses.

References

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External links

{{Christian crosses Catholic missions Crosses by function