Ancient symbols of a bishop and his ministry

Here is a description of some of the symbols, rooted in Sacred Scripture and centuries of Church history, that help identify a bishop and his important role in the life of the Church:

Crosier

The crosier is a staff that resembles a shepherd’s crook. It is bestowed on bishops and abbots as a symbol of their roles as shepherds of their congregations or religious communities. Used to guide and protect the sheep, the most famous staff is probably that of Moses which turned into a snake, parted the waters of the Red Sea, and brought forth water from rocks. In Scripture, the staff was a sign of God’s power and authority. The bishop’s symbolic staff, the crosier, has been around for at least 1,400 years. It has always signified the authority of the bishop and his responsibility to care for his flock. To bishops and faithful alike, it is a reminder of Jesus, the Good shepherd.

Mitre

The mitre is a bishop’s liturgical headdress. It consists of a stiff front and back, each rising to a peak, and sewn with cloth on the sides that allows it to fold. Two flaps trimmed on the ends with fringe hang down from the back. Most mitres are white. The common use of the mitre by bishops in the Church can be documented from 1100 A.D. However, the concept of this liturgical attire dates back to the books of Exodus and Leviticus, which include the mitre as a requirement for the high priest entering the temple. For the high priest in the Old Testament, and the bishop today, the mitre is a symbol of his authority and his function in service to the people of God.

Pectoral Cross

Another insignia of the office of bishop is the pectoral cross. Its name comes from the Latin “pectus” which means breast, over which the cross hangs. Suspended from a chain or cord, the pectoral cross once was worn by laity and clergy alike. However, since the end of the Middle Ages, its use has been restricted to bishops or abbots. A bishop wears his pectoral cross at whenever he’s in public, with either his clerical suit or liturgical garb, for both civil and religious functions. The pectoral cross symbolizes not only our salvation but our most basic Christian discipleship. In Luke, Jesus says that His disciples must take up his cross and follow Him. The bishop’s cross is not only a statement of the means of his redemption, but his own cross-bearing responsibility.

Ring

During his rite of ordination, a new bishop receives an episcopal ring. Like a wedding ring, it is worn on the fourth digit, which was once believed to contain the vena amoris, a vein connected to the heart. Unlike a wedding ring, a bishop wears his on his left hand. Historically, someone of royalty or wealth had a signet, a ring used with hot wax to seal and authenticate important documents. A bishop’s ring served that purpose, but it also signified his symbolic marriage to the Church and his fidelity in serving her. Typically, a bishop’s ring is made of gold, a precious metal that does not rust or tarnish. While the golden band is a symbol of his bond with his diocese, it is also a reminder that his devotion should never tarnish over time.