Italy, Republic. A Brothers Of The Christian Schools Grand Cross

Two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with black and green enamels, inscribed in Latin "SIGNUM FIDEI" (Sign of Faith) on the centrepiece, measuring 52.7 mm (w) x 85 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, on its original full-length sash that incorporates a decorative moiré pattern, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as the Christian Brothers, the Lasallian Brothers, the French Christian Brothers, or the De La Salle Brothers; French: Frères des écoles chrétiennes; Latin: Fratres Scholarum Christianarum) is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719), and now based in Rome. The Brothers use the post-nominal abbreviation F.S.C. to denote their membership of the order, and the honourific title Brother, abbreviated Br.. The Lasallian Christian Brothers are not the same order as the Irish Christian Brothers. There are 560 Lasallian educational institutions around the world which, assisted by more than 73,000 lay colleagues, teach over 900,000 students in over 80 countries, from impoverished nations such as Nigeria to post-secondary institutions such as Bethlehem University, Manhattan College, and the La Salle Universities in Philadelphia. The central administration of the Brothers operates out of the Generalate in Rome and is made up of the Superior General and his councillors. "Signum Fidei" (The Sign of Faith) has been the motto of the Brothers of the Christian Schools since the days of Saint John Baptist De La Salle.