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PECTORAL CROSS

A cross usually of gold and ornamented with precious stones, worn suspended from the neck by a gold chain or silken cord. It may serve as a reliquary enclosing relics of the saints or the True Cross. Although it is the badge of a bishop, other prelates may wear it during public worship. (Etym. Latin pectoralis, of the breast.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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