MidRN

Here is a pic of my group that includes the Holy Land Pilgrim’s Cross (bronze) which I was awarded whilst working on a European Commission consultancy assignment on the West Bank. My certificate is numbered 215/13, dated 6 December 2013, which suggests that a relatively small number of awards are made despite the many large groups of people that make the pilgrimage in these days of cheap air fares. I have not mounted the ‘Jerusalem’ top suspender bar. This modern cross is smaller and lighter than the three older crosses that I've collected over the years - the gold and silver examples are marked 18 carat and 935 respectively and none has a Jerusalem top bar. The donations specified for obtaining the bronze, silver and gold crosses are $150, $200 and $250 respectively. The wording of the Papal Decree instituting the Holy Land Pilgrim's Cross and an explanation by the Custodian of the meaning of this decoration in the 21st century are set out on the Franciscan Holy Land website at http://www.custodia.org/default.asp?id=1165. Although this addition to my group probably contravenes the UK conditions for wearing awards, I have mounted it after my approved foreign awards as it appears to be fairly common practice these days for British subjects to wear Papal orders and decorations. Here are my medals, including the bronze Holy Land Pilgrims Cross