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Catholic military chaplain’s breast cross, known among collectors as a Paterkreuz, of the type worn by priests serving with the Imperial German Army during the First World War (1914-1918). These chaplains were designated Feldgeistliche (field chaplains) or Militärpfarrer (military chaplains).
14 x 7 cm.
The cross served as a religious and service identification insignia for Catholic priests attached to military formations. The Catholic pattern was characterized by a dark-coloured cross with silver-coloured metal borders and the figure of the crucified Christ, distinguishing it from the Protestant pattern, which was generally silver-coloured and without a corpus.
Military chaplains provided spiritual and religious assistance, celebrated Mass, administered the sacraments, attended wounded and dying soldiers, and conducted funeral services. Their duties took place both in military hospitals and in areas close to the front lines.
During the First World War, Feldgeistliche were integrated into the Imperial German Army’s organization as military officials with status comparable to commissioned officers, although they did not exercise combat command.
Catholic military chaplain’s breast cross (Paterkreuz / Katholischer Feldgeistlicher), religious identification insignia of the type worn by military priests of the Imperial German Army during the First World War, 1914-1918.
