Little Wonders: The Bishops Special Signs

When you see a bishop at church or in a picture, you might notice three unusual things he wears or carries. They aren’t costumes or fancy jewelry. They’re holy symbols that tell a story about his job. Each one shows that the bishop shares in the work of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leads and loves his people. Let’s meet each one and learn what it means!

The Miter

The miter is the tall, pointed hat the bishop wears at Mass and other special celebrations. It has two peaks that point upward, reminding us that the bishop is called to seek holiness for himself and for us. These two peaks also stand for the Old and New Testament, which the bishop must know and teach faithfully.

At the back of the miter are two strips of fabric called lappets. Long ago, they may have helped tie the miter to the bishop’s head, but today they carry a deeper meaning: they remind us that the bishop must follow both the letter and the spirit of God’s law. That’s not just the words of the Bible, but also its loving purpose.

When the bishop takes off his miter during prayer, it shows humility before God. When he puts it on again it shows his authority to teach and lead.

The Crozier

The crozier is the bishop’s shepherd’s staff. It reminds everyone that the bishop is called to care for God’s people the same way a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd, and every bishop is called to imitate him.

The crozier’s curved hook has special meaning. A real shepherd uses the hook to gently guide or rescue sheep who wander away, and sometimes to protect them from danger. In the same way, a bishop must guide people back to God when they go astray and defend them against anything that could harm their faith.

Croziers can be made of metal or wood; it can be simple or fancy. The Pope’s staff looks a little different. It’s called a ferula, and it has a cross at the top instead of a hook. This shows that the Pope’s shepherding of the whole Church is always centered on the Cross of Christ.

When a bishop carries his crozier, the hook faces outward, toward the people, to show that he is ready to reach out and care for them. When someone else carries it for him, the hook faces inward, showing respect for the bishop’s sacred role. 

The Ring

The bishop’s ring is a powerful symbol of faithful love. It’s a lot like a wedding ring, because it represents how the bishop promises to love and serve the people of his diocese faithfully, just as Christ loves his Church.

The ring also reminds everyone that the bishop belongs completely to Christ. Sometimes people will kiss the bishop’s ring to show reverence for the office he holds.

Every bishop receives his ring, miter and crozier at his episcopal ordination. That’s the special Mass where a priest becomes a bishop. “Episcopal” comes from a Greek word that means “overseer” or “shepherd.” These sacred items are given as signs that the new bishop will teach, sanctify and govern the Church in love, just as Jesus did.

Together, the miter, crozier and ring show the heart of a bishop’s mission: The miter reminds him to teach God’s word with wisdom. The crozier reminds him to shepherd and protect God’s people. The ring reminds him to love the Church with faithfulness.

These sacred signs teach us that the bishop shares in the ministry of Christ the teacher, Christ the shepherd, and Christ the bridegroom. Every time we see them, we are reminded that our faith is not about power or fancy clothes. It’s about service, love and holiness.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans is partnering with the University of Notre Dame in “Contours of Wonder”. Learn more at https://mcgrath.nd.edu/.