around it, in a golden circle, are stamped in characters of blue, the motto, VIRTUTI ET MERITO. The
reverse is identical with the obverse side except that the inscription ANNO 1847 is used instead of
PIUS IX. There are two forms of badges. One is a large silver medal similar to the star, and the other
is of the same design but larger and adorned with brilliant gems. The ribbon of the decoration is dark
blue silk bordered with red. The official costume (rarely worn) is a dark blue evening dress coat closed
in front by one row of gold buttons. The collar and cults and breast of the coat are covered with golden
embroideries more or less elaborate, according to the grade or class of the wearer. Golden epaulettes,
white trousers with gold side stripes, a bicornered hat with white plumes, complete the official dress.
This order may be conferred also upon non-Catholics.
Order of St. Gregory the Great
Gregory XVI founded this order to reward the civil and military virtues of subjects of the Papal States
by brief "Quod Summis", 1 Sept., 1831, and placed it under the patronage of the great pope whose
name it bears. It has two divisions, civil and military, and each division is divided into four classes,
viz.:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Grand Cross Knights of the First Class;
Grand Cross Knights of the Second Class;
Commanders, and
simple Knights.
The decoration is a bifurcated or eight-pointed red enameled gold cross, in the center of which is a
blue medallion on which is impressed in gold the image of St. Gregory, and at the side of his head near
the right ear is a dove; in a circle around the image appears in golden letters "S. Gregorius Magnus".
On the reverse side is the device, "Pro Deo et Principe", and in the centre around it, GREGORIUS
XVI. P. M. ANNO. 1. The badge is the cross of the order surrounded with silver rays. The ribbon of the
order is red with orange borders. The cross worn by a knight of the military division is surmounted by
a military trophy; the cross of a knight of the civil division is surmounted by a crown of gold oak
leaves. The costume of ceremony is a dress coat of dark green open in front, and covered on breast
and back with embroideries in the form of oak leaves. White trousers with silver side stripes, a
bicornered ornamented hat, and the usual knightly sword, complete the costume, which is rarely
worn.
Order of St. Sylvester, since the regulations of Pius X
The order now has three classes of knights:
1. Knights Grand Cross,
2. Commanders, and
3. Knights.
The present decoration is a gold cross of white enameled surface, in the center of which is impressed
the image of St. Sylvester P. M., surrounded by a blue enameled circle bearing the inscription in
letters of gold SANC. SYLVESTER P. M. On the opposite side, in the center, are the pontifical
emblems with the date of the Gregorian restoration, MDCCCXXXXR, and that of the Pius X
renovation, MDCCCCV, impressed in characters of gold upon a blue circle. The badge is the cross of