By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Bishop-elect Peter Baldacchino's miter is pictured here in the sanctuary of St. Mary Cathedral. Archbishop Thomas Wenski would bless it during vespers.
- the crosier, or pastoral staff, shaped like a shepherd�s crook, which symbolizes his authority and jurisdiction over a particular flock;
- the ring, emblematic of the betrothal of the bishop to the Church;
- and the miter, the tall, pointed ceremonial cap worn as part of liturgical dress.
The wearing of this insignia traces back, in many cases, to the Roman customs or practices adopted in the Middle Ages. But they have taken on a deeper religious meaning over time.
Following are explanations of why Bishop Baldacchino chose specific designs for his symbols of office.
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
A detail of Bishop-elect Peter Baldacchino's crosier is pictured here in the sanctuary of St. Mary Cathedral. The image is of the Angel Gabriel and Virgin Mary at the Annunciation.
The inside of the hook of Bishop Baldacchino�s crosier represents the Annunciation, the moment when the angel Gabriel, with the messenger�s staff, salutes Mary as one "full of grace" and announces that the Son of God will be born in her.
Mary is listening and is about to utter her "fiat� (yes). Her open hands and the position of her whole body indicate her docility toward the divine will. Mary, who listens, believes and conceives the Son of God, is the image of every Christian. As the new Eve, she is also the image of the Church that, like a loving mother, carries us in her womb until Christ is formed in us and born in the waters of baptism.
This image expresses Bishop Baldacchino�s impulse to evangelize, to bring the good news of Christianity, the word of salvation, even to the farthest ends of the world.
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Bishop-elect Peter Baldacchino's ring and pectoral cross are pictured here in the sanctuary of St. Mary Cathedral. Archbishop Thomas Wenski would bless them during vespers.
The image on Bishop Baldacchino�s ring is Christ crucified: �Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world� (Gal 6:14).
The cross emerges as a sign of victory over death, represented by the waters of the baptismal font, the source of Christian life which communicates to every Christian the victory of Christ.
The baptismal font also is a reference to Bishop Baldacchino�s own rediscovery of baptism through the Neocatechumenal Way and to the work of evangelization: bringing people to live their baptism so that they may receive divine life.
Pectoral cross
In Bishop Baldacchino�s words: �The cross we carry always in life. This helps me remember. Also the fact that it is this color (silver) helps me remember that the cross is victorious. � It�s like the master key to open all doors.�
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Bishop-elect Peter Baldacchino wraps his hands in prayer while holding the pectoral cross, a symbol of his office as bishop
