Fidei et Virtuti

The Cross Fidei et Virtuti, also referred to as Cross of Mentana, was a decoration for military merit bestowed by the Holy See during the Italian unification.

Cross Fidei et Virtuti
Cross of Mentana
Typeone degree medal[1]
Awarded forParticipation in the campaign against Garibaldi's volunteers in 1867[1]
Presented by The Holy See
EligibilityFrench and Papal troops[1]
StatusObsolete
EstablishedNovember 14, 1867[1]
Ribbon of the Cross Fidei et Virtuti
Precedence
Next (higher)Benemerenti medal
EquivalentMedal Pro Petri Sede

History

The cross was instituted by Pope Pius IX on 14 November 1867 after the victory of French-Papal troops in the Battle of Mentana.[1] It was not limited to the Battle of Mentana and given to all participants of the campaign against Garibaldi's volunteers.[1]

On 3 March 1868, the Imperial French government authorized the wearing of the medal with French uniforms.[1]

Appearance

The silver cross consists of a cross pattée with concave ends to the arms.[2] A medallion in the centre of the cross bears the Papal arms and the inscription "FIDEI ET VIRTUTI" (transl. faith and virtue). The arms are inscribed with "PP", "PIUS", "IX", "1867", respectively.

The cross is suspended from a white ribbon with two light blue stripes in the middle. Medal bars were attached to the ribbon to indicate the different battles that each individual cross was awarded for.[1]

References
  1. "Kreuz ""Fidei et Virtuti"" [Crux ""Fidei et Virtuti""] (sogenanntes ""Mentana-Kreuz"")". www.kuenker.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  2. "Vatican Cross of Mentana 1867". Retrieved 2019-07-08.
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