A gift for Cardinal Blase Cupich
Shepherd’s cross
In honor of his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Blase Cupich received a hand-carved processional cross from Loyola President Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD, on behalf of the University community. Dr. Rooney worked with members of Loyola’s Jesuit community to have the cross commissioned and designed, and the Jesuits turned to the Wrong Store, a craft shop in Marfa, Texas, that has done previous work for Loyola’s Jesuits, to do the job. The cross was presented to Cardinal Cupich by Dr. Rooney at a reception before the annual Stritch Dinner on November 18.
A processional cross is used in the Catholic liturgy as a call to worship and precedes the presider and liturgical ministers to the altar at the start of Mass. This cross echoes the Resurrection Crucifix in Holy Name Cathedral depicting Christ not as a figure in agony but as the risen and triumphant Lord tenderly caring for the flock.
The design is patterned after the pectoral cross worn by Pope Francis and reflects his insistence of Gospel mercy and the pastoral exercise of it—a notable characteristic that Cardinal Cupich emanates in his service to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
What is a processional cross?
A processional cross is used in the Catholic liturgy as a call to worship and precedes the presider and liturgical ministers to the altar at the start of Mass. This cross echoes the Resurrection Crucifix in Holy Name Cathedral depicting Christ not as a figure in agony but as the risen and triumphant Lord tenderly caring for the flock.
About the design
The design is patterned after the pectoral cross worn by Pope Francis and reflects his insistence of Gospel mercy and the pastoral exercise of it—a notable characteristic that Cardinal Cupich emanates in his service to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
5Inscription
1The dove at the top of the cross represents the Holy Spirit.
2The shepherd carries the lost sheep around his neck with the sheep’s heart next to the shepherd's carotid artery so that the shepherd’s heartbeat will calm the heart of the sheep before returning it to the flock.
3The other sheep are gathered around a caring shepherd, representing the People of God and the renewed pastoral directions of both Pope Francis and Cardinal Cupich.
4The depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cared for his flock is one of the earliest known depictions of Christ, dating back to the earliest Christian communities.
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Relative scale
5Where the cross and staff connect are inscribed the words: “Honoring Cardinal Blase Cupich on his elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals” with the date of his elevation, November 19, 2016
6The second point where the pieces connect have inscribed the words "Loyola University Chicago" and the Loyola shield.
5
6
Relative scale
1The dove at the top of the cross represents the Holy Spirit.
2The shepherd carries the lost sheep around his neck with the sheep’s heart next to the shepherd's carotid artery so that the shepherd’s heartbeat will calm the heart of the sheep before returning it to the flock.
3The other sheep are gathered around a caring shepherd, representing the People of God and the renewed pastoral directions of both Pope Francis and Cardinal Cupich.
4The depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cared for his flock is one of the earliest known depictions of Christ, dating back to the earliest Christian communities.
5Where the cross and staff connect are inscribed the words: “Honoring Cardinal Blase Cupich on his elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals” with the date of his elevation, November 19, 2016
6The second point where the pieces connect have inscribed the words "Loyola University Chicago" and the Loyola shield.
