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Records of the College Seal

 Record Group — Box: RG09-05-001
Identifier: RG09-05

Scope and Contents

This record group contains materials pertaining to the College Seal including correspondence, newsprint, illsutrations, and images and descriptions from Holy Cross publications. Additionally, it also holds images and information on other Jesuit college seals.

Dates

  • Creation: 1847
  • Creation: 1865
  • Creation: 1906
  • Creation: 1909
  • Creation: 1924-1926
  • Creation: 1929
  • Creation: 1966
  • Creation: 1968
  • Creation: 1998

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials believed to be under copyright or other restrictions are available for limited noncommercial, educational and personal use only, or for fair use as defined by United States copyright law and with proper citation. Please note that the College of the Holy Cross may not hold the rights to all items in this collection. Users assume responsibility for identifying all copyright holders and for determining whether permission is needed to make any use of the content. For permission under rights held by the College, please contact archives@holycross.edu.

Historical Note

The College of the Holy Cross has had three seals over the course of its existence. The College's first seal, used from 1843 to 1865, was designed by Father Sestini and depicts a flaming cross in a clouded sky, with the College's motto, "In Hoc Signo Vinces," insribed in Greek below.

The second seal, designed by Benedict Sestini S.J. in 1865, pictures a number of symbols, including the Cross of Constantine, a railroad train and ships for Worcester as a center of travel and trade, and the Pakachog Hill where Holy Cross is built. Around the images is the name of the College and its location in a Latin inscription: "Collegium Sanctae Crucic, S.J., Virgonii, Mass." This seal was used until 1920.

The third and current seal was adopted in 1925. The seal includes the The IHS, letters from the seal of the Society of Jesus, symbolize the Jesuit presence in the College, while the birds, known as red martlets, were taken from the crest of Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J., the founder of the College. In the center is a book with the College's motto,"In Hoc Signo Vinces," written on its pages. These symbols are again encircled with Latin inscriptions of the College's name and home.

Extent

0.23 Cubic Feet (1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials

  • Accession 2012-33 - Wooden college Seal carved from wood in Jamaica
  • Box: RG12-16-015, Folder: 15 - Copperplate and Engraving of Bishop's Seal, undated
  • Box: RG12-16-015, Folder: 15 - Copperplate and Engraving of Bishop's Seal, undated

Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Revised December 2022

Repository Details

Part of the Archives Repository

Contact:
One College Street
Worcester MA 01610