Pope Francis has gifted two shards of wood, which reportedly belongs to the cross that was used to crucify Jesus Christ, as part of the coronation of King Charles in early May.
The Church in Wales announced on its website that the fragments were placed inside the Cross of Wales, a silver cross that will be carried during the processional on May 6 at Westminster Abbey.
“Designed and made by master silversmith Michael Lloyd, in consultation with the Royal Collection, it is crafted from recycled silver bullion, provided by the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, a shaft of Welsh windfall timber and a stand of Welsh slate,” the website reads.
The Royalists, Britain’s premier royalist movement, noted that the Cross was consecrated in a ceremony on Wednesday by the Archbishop of Wales.
According to Faithwire, the back of the cross contains the following inscription: “Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain,” which, in English, it means, “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.”
“Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources, and our commitment to sustainability,” Andrew John, the archbishop of Wales, said this week during the consecration ceremony. “We are delighted, too, that its first use will be to guide their majesties into Westminster Abbey at the coronation service.”
Mark O’Toole, the archbishop of Cardiff and bishop of Menevia, commented, “It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Savior, Jesus Christ. We look forward to honoring it, not only in the various celebrations that are planned, but also in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home.”
The Christian Post reports that King Charles first commissioned the cross back in 2020, when he was still the Prince of Wales at the time. He was appointed King after Queen Elizabeth II passed away last September.