SUCCESSOR OF THE APOSTLES . . . At the beginning of the Church, the Apostles set out to proclaim the gospel everywhere. (The gospel is the Good News that Jesus came to save us from sin and death!) They founded the first Christian communities. These grew in number, so the Apostles appointed responsible people as the heads of the local churches. These were the first bishops, the successors of the Apostles! . . . PASTOR . . . The bishop is in charge of a particular territory called a diocese. The cathedral is the main church of this diocese. Its name comes from the seat occupied by the bishop: the cathedra. This name was given to the chair of certain judges in the Roman Empire. The same name was used to emphasize the bishop’s authority. It is he who guides his community. Only he can give the Sacraments of Confirmation (the gift of the Holy Spirit) and Holy Orders (the ordination of new priests and deacons). . . . AND LORD In the Middle Ages, the bishop had temporal and spiritual power. Like a local lord, he managed laws and taxes and could even raise an army! Then and now, the distinguishing marks of the bishop are: a crosier, a miter, and a ring. The crosier is a reminder of the bishop’s role as shepherd; it was inspired by the shepherd’s staff. The crosier symbolizes the three functions of the bishop: to govern, to teach, and to sanctify—that is, to make us holy! That is not an easy task! The miter symbolizes the bishop’s authority and his role in teaching and leading. The bishop’s ring symbolizes his fidelity and spiritual marriage to the Church. FOCUS Riddle Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick: Of the Seven Sacraments, which are the two that only a bishop can give? Let’s discover the cathedral’s main character! The crook—the curved top of the crosier—symbolizes the shepherd’s crook, which was used to guide and protect sheep. It is turned to the congregation when the bishop celebrates Mass in his diocese. Otherwise, it is turned toward the bishop. Cathedral comes from the Latin word cathedra: "high-backed seat." This seat is usually to the left of the center of the altar, where the Eucharist is celebrated. Did you know? Did you know? Miter Crosier The solution is on page 44. 18 / N° 1
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