Ave crux spes unica
Encyclopedia
Ave Crux Spes Unica is a Latin
pious expression or motto meaning "Hail to the Cross, our only hope." The expression has a long history in Catholic piety and is motto occasionally used by bishops and Catholic institutions. It is the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross
and of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
, Cardinal Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
It may be found inscribed on the back of the Processional Crucifix in the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, in the village of Yattendon,Berks, UK. The inscription forms the shape of a cross with OCRVXAVE downward and SPESVNICA forming the cross piece. The two share the "V" in the middle.
which roughly translates:
As a stand db motto the expression can appear as Ave Crus Spes Unica or as in the original hymn, O Crux ave, spes unica, meaning essentially the same.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
pious expression or motto meaning "Hail to the Cross, our only hope." The expression has a long history in Catholic piety and is motto occasionally used by bishops and Catholic institutions. It is the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross
Congregation of Holy Cross
The Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
and of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Daniel DiNardo
Daniel Nicholas DiNardo is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the second and current Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, serving since 2006. He previously served as Bishop of Sioux City from 1998 to 2004....
, Cardinal Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
It may be found inscribed on the back of the Processional Crucifix in the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, in the village of Yattendon,Berks, UK. The inscription forms the shape of a cross with OCRVXAVE downward and SPESVNICA forming the cross piece. The two share the "V" in the middle.
Origins
The origins are thought to be a stanza of an ancient Roman hymn to the True Cross of Christ dating back to the 6th Century, Vexilla Regis Prodeunt. The ninth stanza is as follows:- O Crux ave, spes unica,
- hoc Passionis tempore!
- piis adauge gratiam,
- reisque dele crimina.
which roughly translates:
- O hail the cross our only hope
- in this passiontide
- grant increase of grace to believers
- and remove the sins of the guilty.
As a stand db motto the expression can appear as Ave Crus Spes Unica or as in the original hymn, O Crux ave, spes unica, meaning essentially the same.