Our Mission
Beyond the Sea. For the Sacred.
In 1099, the Crusaders established Outremer—"the land beyond the sea"—and adopted the Jerusalem Cross as their emblem. Five crosses united in purpose: the large central cross for Christ's sacrifice, the four smaller ones for the Gospel spreading to the four corners of the earth.
Nearly a millennium later, that symbol endures, calling us to guardianship.
The Mission
Outremer Clothing exists to equip those who cherish the sacred. Every garment we craft bears the Jerusalem Cross not as mere decoration, but as a declaration of commitment. This is more than apparel—it's a tangible way to preserve Christianity's holiest places.
50% of our profits are donated to support the ongoing care and protection of Jerusalem's sacred sites. When you choose Outremer, your purchase directly contributes to the maintenance of these timeless places of faith, ensuring they remain open for pilgrims, prayer, and reflection for generations to come.
Clothed in the Cross
To be “Clothed in the Cross” is at the heart of the Christian life. In Baptism we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) and are called daily to take up our cross in union with His Passion—through sacrificial love, bold witness, and resurrection hope.
As St. Ephrem the Syrian teaches: “Clothed in the Cross as in armor, the martyrs of Christ trampled all the plans of torturers and preached with plainness the Divine Cross-bearer.”
St. Francis of Assisi prayed: “We adore You, O most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Your churches throughout the world, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”
At Outremer Clothing, this truth becomes visible. When you wear our garments bearing the Jerusalem Cross, you literally clothe yourself in the Cross. Each piece reflects the courageous faith and love for the Holy Land that define Outremer. What you wear becomes both personal devotion and meaningful support for the Custody of the Holy Land, preserving the sacred sites where our salvation was won.
In this way, everyday clothing becomes a daily renewal of our baptismal promise: to live fully clothed in the Cross of Christ.
Who We Support
Our primary beneficiary is the Custody of the Holy Land (Custodia Terrae Sanctae), the Franciscan order entrusted with guarding Christianity's holy sites in the Holy Land since the friars first arrived in 1217 (with official papal recognition as custodians in 1342). For over eight centuries, these dedicated guardians have preserved the shrines, served local Christian communities, and welcomed pilgrims to walk where Christ walked.
Your support helps fund:
- Maintenance and restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Preservation of the Via Dolorosa, Garden of Gethsemane, and other key sites
- Ongoing care for sacred places throughout Jerusalem and the Holy Land
- Support for Christian communities and humanitarian aid in the region
- Efforts to ensure these holy places endure as beacons of faith
Donations are made transparently through official Custodia channels, including their secure online portal at custodia.org/en/donate-now and the annual Pro Terra Sancta Collection. We will share quarterly impact updates here as our contributions grow.
The Jerusalem Cross
Our mark is the Jerusalem Cross—five crosses forming one powerful symbol. First flown over the Holy City in 1099, it represents Christ's central sacrifice (the large cross) and the Gospel's outreach to the four corners of the world (the smaller crosses in each quadrant). It became the emblem of those committed to safeguarding Christian presence in the Holy Land.
When you wear this symbol, you join a tradition nearly 1,000 years old. You declare your faith. You stand in solidarity with the sacred. You become part of the ongoing mission.
Est. 1099
We chose this date symbolically. It marks the moment the Jerusalem Cross first represented a pledge to protect what is sacred. That pledge continues today—through every garment, every purchase, every wearer.
Every step in Outremer gear is a quiet pilgrimage. Every piece guards the legacy.