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The Symbolism of the Tau Cross
The symbolism of the Tau Cross, official emblem of the School Sisters of
St. Francis, relates themes from pagan times, Biblical times and the days of St. Francis.
In early civilization, the joined vertical/horizontal lines were symbols of human relationships supported by a vertical relationship to the gods. Biblical writers referred to landmarks as "Taus." A landowner placed stones at the edge of his property and as other people saw the Tau they would interpret ownership or belonging. Old Testament prophets proclaimed that the faithful of Yahweh would be known by the mark of the Tau on their foreheads. The word "Tau" comes from the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet and Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. As such, it speaks of finality, ending, forever.
St. Francis of Assisi in 13th century Italy was so awed with the significance of the Tau Cross that he adopted this symbol as the official one of his Order. The story is told that on one of his frequent journeys to Rome to speak to the Pope for his new Order, he stopped for Mass at the Church of
St. John Lateran. A reading from Ezekiel particularly moved him. The prophet spoke of "God’s faithful ones being marked with the Tau on their forehead." St. Francis exclaimed, "This shall be the mark of the Friars Minor, the faithful ones of the Lord."
That is what the Tau means to the School Sisters of St. Francis. Whether the Tau Cross is on a pin, a pendant, a ring, a centennial button or a bumper sticker, the Tau is a mark of belonging — of one signed by the Lord — of one consecrated, commissioned, committed.