Bihop Wang visits

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Benedictine Letter

A Crozier for the Bishop

The newly appointed bishop leaves the Priory chapel with his symbol of office.

The crook contains black walnut, rosewood and ebony with jade set in silver just below. W hen the Archdiocese of San Francisco recently announced the appointment of a new Auxiliary Bishop to serve as associate to Archbishop Levada, Father Martin received a “crozier call,” as he has many times in the past.

The new Bishop Wang, having seen some examples of Father Martin’s outstanding hand craftsmanship in wood, contacted Father Martin right away about a personal crozier to help him properly begin in his new role. In doing so, he was following in the tradition of Archbishops Levada and Quinn of San Francisco, Bishops Garcia of Sacramento, Mulvee of Delaware, Gendron of New Hampshire, and several others who carry Father Martin’s hand crafted staff.

The crozier (also spelled crosier) is one among several official insignia of a bishop’s office. It is a stylized shepherd’s crook carried by the bishop and used at many of the liturgical functions over which he officiates. Use of this staff was mentioned in church documents as far back as the fifth century. Over time, it has signified the doctrinal and disciplinary power of bishops to “sustain the weak and faltering, confirm the wavering in faith, and lead back the erring ones into the true fold,” according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“Today, it is clearly used as a symbol of office whereby a bishop leads his community as a shepherd might lead his flock,” explained Father Martin.

Father Martin recalls his first crozier as a shared project with another young priest back in New Hampshire in the early 1970s. They worked in the basement, using steam from the giant boiler that heated the building to gently mold and shape the crook. Today’s “Croziers by Martin” involve greater variety of materials and intricacy of design. They can be taken apart for convenience in travel—and, in fact, finding an appropriate carrying case is as big a challenge as making the staff, Father Martin indicates.

One crozier case began its life as a pool cue carrier. Bishop Wang’s carrying case is light and sturdy and

definitely unique. Ironically, it was a weapon case before being converted by Father Martin to protect the bishop’s staff.

When Bishop Wang first called about the crozier, he requested a design that would be unique yet simple. Those who met this charming man at the Priory would say that such a symbol would suit him. Bishop Wang was born and lived much of his life in China and is the only Asian bishop in the United States. His calm demeanor, quiet humor and clear intelligence shine through in even a brief meeting.

Father Martin formed the gracefully curved crook of black walnut and Brazilian rosewood, with transitional pieces of ebony. The node section is of cherry and the lower part, or staff, is also of cherry. Four pieces of jade, set in silver by Priory art instructor Reed Easley, were applied to the node.

The selection of various woods was made for aesthetic reasons as well as the symbolic aspect of reflecting the universality and diversity of the church, Father Martin said. Specifically: • Black walnut is from Southern states • Cherry is from East Coast states • Ebony is from Africa • Rosewood is from Brazil • Jade is a highly prized stone around the world, but especially in Asia

The crozier was presented to Bishop Wang at a special student service for Ash Wednesday as a gift from the Woodside Priory community. The community enjoyed his visit through the morning and lunch. —C. Dobervich

Father Martin and Bishop Wang—the Bishop and craftsman discuss the newly created crozier.

The selection of various woods was made for aesthetic reasons as well as the symbolic aspect of reflecting the universality and diversity of the church.

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