Order of Pope Pius IX

The Pian Order
Order of Pope Pius IX
Ordine di Papa Pio IX
Knight's cross of the Order of Pius IX
Awarded by

The Pope
Type Chivalric order
Motto VIRTUTI ET MERITO
(Virtue and Merit)[1]
Status Currently constituted
Sovereign His Holiness Pope Francis
Grades (w/ post-nominals) Knight with the Collar
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight/Dame Commander with Star
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame
Established 17 June 1847[1]
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of the Golden Spur
Next (lower) Order of St. Gregory the Great
Ribbon bar of the order

The Order of Pope Pius IX (Italian: Ordine di Pio IX), also referred as the Pian Order (Italian: Ordine Piano), is a papal order of knighthood founded on 17 June 1847 by Pope Pius IX.[1] Since November 1993, it has been granted to women.

Originally founded by Pope Pius IV in 1560, the awarding of the order fell into disuse and was re-instituted by Pope Pius IX as a continuation in 1847.

The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the gold Collar of the Order, awarded to heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See. The Grand Cross is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, often given to Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post as well as exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society.

The next rank is that of Knight (and now Dame) Commander, to whom the Star (the same as worn by the Grand Crosses) may be given as a higher distinction. The lowest rank is that of Knight or Dame. It is awarded to Catholics and non-Catholics and, on occasion, to non-Christians.

Order of Classes

1893 artistic sketch of the medal.

The Order comprises five classes:

Pope Pius IV, originally founded the first Pian Order in 1560.
Pope Pius IX, re-instituted the Pian Order under his Papal name and pontificate in 1847.
Knight
Knight Commander
Knight Commander with Star
Knight Grand Cross
Knight with the Collar

Insignia and uniform

The decoration is a regular octagram made of blue enamel, the spaces between the rays filled with gold flames. On the white medallion in the center the name of the founder surrounded by the words Virtuti et Merito ("Virtue and Merit") is engraved. The reverse side is the same save for the substitution of Anno 1847 for Pius IX. The rarely worn official uniform consists of an elaborately embroidered dark blue evening coat with golden epaulettes, white trousers, and a white-plumed bicorne.

Knights with the Collar wear a gold decorated chain around the neck, and a star on the left side of the breast; Knights Grand Cross wear a sash and a star on the left side of the breast; Commanders wear a cross around the neck; and Knights wear a smaller cross on the left breast of the uniform:

Notable members

Royal Houses and Nobility

The Pian medal belonging to the 21st President of Brazil Juscelino Kubitschek, unrestored and on display on his memorial

Politicians

Diplomats of the Holy See


See also

References

  1. 1 2 3  Rock, P.M.J. (1913). "Pontifical Decorations". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

External links

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