The Franciscan Arms

The Franciscan symbol of the “crossed arms” depicts the arms of Jesus and Francis crossed over the Tau, both bearing the imprint of the Crucifixion nails. Francis’ arm is enclosed in the sleeve of his habit. It is a celebration of that remarkable gift of grace which St. Francis received on Mt. Alverna, September 17th the – Stigmata…… the bearing in his own body of the marks of his crucified Lord.

Just before he died on October 3rd, Francis stretched out his arms over his brothers in the form of a CROSS and blessed them in the power, and in the name of their crucified Lord. Then he told them, “I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours.”

So we consider this symbol of our Franciscan life a true expression of the life of St. Francis, as well as a reminder to us, of our own Christian call and sincerity of response.

Meaning of the Crest

In the upper section of the insignia are the Franciscan Arms which depict the arm of Christ crossed by that of St. Francis; they are surmounted by the Cross which sheds radiance. The scroll underneath bears the words of Francis, “My God and my all”.

Central is the coat of our co-founder Cardinal Herbert Vaughan with his motto, “To love and to serve”. A gold star on the right side of the shield with a bright blue background represents Our Lady Immaculate Queen of the Franciscan Order. On the left of the shield is a lily, symbol of St. Joseph to whom the Congregation has been dedicated since its foundation.

In the lower portion of the crest is a maxim of our foundress Mother Mary Francis (Alice Ingham). “Do away with human respect and work for God alone”. Central to this scroll is a red emblem of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, one of the special Franciscan patrons.

As a red rose of Lancashire this is a fitting momento also of the foundation by a Lancashire lass, in Rochdale of the Congregation whose title in Latin surrounds the whole insignia.

Have you often seen this “Franciscan Cross” and wondered about it’s meaning? We all know it is the cross that spoke to Francis. But what about all those figures on it? The following is a brief explanation.

The Crucifix of
San Damiano

In the little church of San Damiano, which stands outside the city walls of Assisi, Francis prayed intensely to perceive the Divine Will. There was a time-honoured cross in this special little church. One day Francis heard these words from that cross. “Francis! Go repair my church  which you see is falling in ruin!

Franciscans continue to revere this cross because it reminds us of that decisive hour in the life of Francis. This Byzantine cross is uniquely rich in the theological meaning.

Jesus is not pictured as torn by suffering, but rather as victorious over sin and death.

 Behind his outstretched arms, the empty tomb stands out, just as the women found it on Easter morning. To the right and to the left, we see the women at the tomb. Beneath the arms, two angels are engaged in lively discussion, speaking of the resurrection of Jesus to those who believed in Him.

At the head of the Crucified we see the Lord in a circle as He ascends into heaven. In his hand he carries the sceptre of triumph. A choir of praising angels surround him.

Thus in this image of the cross we find pictured the whole work of redemption as we express it in the Creed.

Even with this, there is much more in the story of this cross. Redemption was for all of humankind. Our participation in this salvation depends on how we relate to Him.

This is meaningfully depicted in the persons who are found to the right and to the left of the Crucified. Those who are drawn the smallest and on the edges are the soldier with the lance and one in the mocking crowd. Whoever is in opposition to the Lord is insignificant and of little importance.

Those who acknowledge their adherence to the Lord are great people. This is depicted in persons who are painted larger. On the left side are Mary the Mother of Jesus and the Apostle John. On the right side of the body of Christ are Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and the Roman centurion.

Just below the place where the shaft to the cross widens, there is a cock painted on the right side. This is there to say, “Be careful and don’t be too sure of yourself. There was once one who was convinced of his faith in the Lord. He denied the Lord before the cock crowed!.
Francis was addressed through this cross and called to serve the Church in need of “repair”. He responded saying,

Great and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me genuine faith, firm hope and perfect love. Grant to me, o Lord, true perception and understanding so that I may fulfil your Holy will..

Could this prayer become our own also? Is not our vocation also the call to “repair” the church in our times?

The Tau Cross

The symbolism of the Tau Cross relates themes from pagan, biblical times and the days of St. Francis. In the early civilization that joined vertical and horizontal lines were symbolic of human relationships supported by a vertical relationship to the gods.

Biblical writers referred to landmarks as Taus. A landowner placed stones at the edge of his property. Others seeing the Tau would interpret ownership or belonging. Many times Old Testament prophets proclaimed that the faithful of Yahweh would be known by the mark of the Tau on their foreheads.

The word Tau comes from the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet. “Tau” is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and as such speaks of finality, ending, forever.

St. Francis in the 13th century was so awed with the significance of the Tau Cross that he adopted this symbol as the official one of his order.

The story is told that on one of his journeys to Rome, he stopped for Mass at St. John Lateran. A reading from Ezekiel particularly moved him. The prophet spoke of “God’s faithful ones being marked with the Tau on their foreheads.” Francis proclaimed, “This shall be the mark of the Friars Minor, the faithful ones of the Lord”.

So the Tau is the sign of one who is           CONSECRATED
COMMISSIONED
COMMITTED