Theology

The exhibit is located on the 3^rd Floor of the Library Resource Center, outside the Archives & Special Collections (Room 319)

From singing to football to ministry, Bishop Fernand Joseph Cheri III was a vibrant man, who spent his life serving God and others.

"We saw him not only as a vocal advocate for African-American Catholics and advocating for our needs, but also as a shepherd to the world. When you think of bishops being shepherds, you see someone who cares about people, one on one. When you talked to him, you felt like you were the only person in the world that mattered even though he might have had eight million other things going on. But Bishop Cheri’s charisma – and maybe it’s the Franciscan thing of hospitality – was something you felt with him. I think that’s why so many people loved him.” ~ Dr. Ansel Augustine, director of the archdiocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministries. Quote taken from the Clarion Harold with permission. 

A bishop is an ordained clergy member, who also oversees a geographical area or group of parishes, called a diocese. A bishop is considered to have the full priesthood granted by Jesus Christ in direct lineage with the Twelve Apostles and can even ordain other clergy. Bishops are the primary teacher and shepherd in their diocese, particularly for the deacons, priests, and lay ministers in his care. They also govern and sanctify those within the diocese.

Bishop Cheri was named an auxiliary bishop of New Orleans on Jan. 15, 2015. Auxiliary bishops serve and assist the main bishop of the diocese. 

In the hierarchy of authority of the Catholic Church, Bishops are in the middle. God is the ultimate authority. The Heavenly Head of the Church is Jesus Christ, while the Earthly Head of the Church is the Pope. Below the Pope is the College of Cardinals followed by Archbishops, and then Bishops. They have authority over the priests, deacons, and laity, who are the next steps in the hierarchy respectively.

Vestments are garments and items worn by the clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons) during liturgical services, such as Mass and the Eucharist. The main vestments include the amice, alb, cincture, stole, and chasuble/cope.

These vestments are a visual symbol of Catholic beliefs about Christ as well as the role of the Priest as a representation of Christ during a liturgical service. Below are some of the ways vestments are significant. As with all things deeply symbolic, the meaning goes beyond this simple list and is sometimes a point of debate among the community. 

• Vestments are meant to increase the devotion of the clergy who wear them and those coming to services. 
• Vestments are one way to acknowledge that acts of reverence towards God begin in the soul and are expressed as acts of the body.
• The symbolism, beauty, and visual impact of the vestments invite deeper understanding of and appreciation for the liturgy.
• Vestments mark the occasion as sacred. 
• Beautiful vestments used during worship show honor to Jesus by demonstrating Jesus deserves the best.

History of the vestments

Historical evidence suggests that clergy and laity wore similar clothing at services until around the 7th century, several centuries after the early Christian church, at which point the older garment style of ancient Rome became the basis of the attire of clergy. From there, the vestments developed to match their liturgical uses and the meaning conveyed by them. During this development, the vestments were connected with the priestly garments of the First Testament (also called The Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament) and thus also Jesus's role as high priest. Additionally, many vestments are connected to Jesus's garments during the Stations of the Cross. 

Meanings of individual vestments

Alb:

The white robe known as the alb represents the soul being washed clean during Baptism. It reminds the clergy member of the purity of heart required as a representation of Christ. It is also connected with the garment Pontious Pilate put on Jesus during his trial.

Cincture:

The cord or rope tied on the waist over the alb represents Jesus' chastity and thus the virtue of chastity for clergy. 

Amice:

Worn around the neck and shoulders and partially under the alb, the amice is an oblong or rectangular piece of linen cloth. It protects the other more ornate and costly vestments and represents protection from the devil and temptations. 

Stole:

The long piece of cloth matching the liturgical color of the day and worn over the shoulders of a clergy member represents the authority of the clergy member which was bestowed on them during their Holy Orders. The stole is also connected with the bindings around Jesus' hands and feet during the Crucifixion. 

Chasuble/Cope:

Bishops and Priests wear a poncho-like chasuble also in the liturgical color of the day that represents charity. It is worn over the other vestments as a reminder that love is the greatest virtue without which the others have no meaning. It is also connected with the garment worn by Jesus on his way to his Crucifixion.

The symbols of the office and responsibilities of the Bishop are also vestments worn during liturgical services. 

The Pectoral Cross

Worn on the chest near the heart, this cross used to contain relics of the Cross or the Saints. Now, the tradition continues even without the relics. When putting on the cross, the Bishop says the "Munire me digneris" prayer, which is a request for protection from his enemies and to keep the Passion of Christ and the martyrs in his mind. Unlike other vestments, the pectoral cross is also worn outside of liturgical services. 

The Ring 

The ring of a Bishop symbolizes his 'wedded' commitment to the diocese. It typically has the bishop's coat of arms on it and was historically used to seal letters for authentication purposes. Unlike other vestments, the ring is also worn outside of liturgical services. 

The Mitre

A headdress of two stiff, shield-shaped pieces forming a peak at the top. It is worn by Bishops or Abbots and represents that clergy's authority over the church. 

The Staff (Crozier)

The pastoral staff symbolizes the bishop's role as a shepherd the people of his diocese. 

Vessels are holy items used in liturgical services. 

The Chalice & Paten

The chalice holds the Blood of Christ (the wine) in the celebration of the Eucharist. It's also where the wine is consecrated.   

The paten is a plate-like vessel that holds the Body of Christ (the bread) in the celebration of the Eucharist. 

The Ciborium

Typically deeper than the paten with a lid, the ciborium also holds the Body of Christ (the bread) in the celebration of the Eucharist. 

The Pyx

The Monstrance

The monstrance comes from the latin "montrere", which means "to show." It "shows" and holds the presence of Jesus Christ. It also provides a visual focal point for those performing the Eucharist Adoration, so that Catholics can focus their eyes, minds, and hearts on the presence of Christ. 

Relics are objects, or pieces of objects, venerated by Catholics because they are related to Jesus Christ, the Apostles, or the Saints. These could include pieces of a Saint, items owned or used by a Saint, or objects that have touched the tomb of a Saint or a location significant in Jesus' life. Relics remind people of the holiness of the Saint and provide inspiration to be like them. The idea is also that the Saints, being close to Christ and dwelling with Him, can intercede on the venerator's behalf.

The tradition of relics goes all the way back to the Exodus when the Israelites took Joseph's bones out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19) and Elisha's bones raising a dead man to life (2 Kings 13:21). It is not the relics themselves that hold power; rather it is their connection with and blessing by Jesus Christ. 

There are 3 classes of relics:

1. First class relics are the physical remains of a Saint or objects of Christ's life, such as the cross, manger, or funeral shroud. These are often part of an altar.  
2. Second class relics are objects a Saint used frequently or wore, such as a rosary or book.
3. Third class relics are objects that have touched a first or second class relic or been kept near a location significant to Christ's life. A piece of cloth is a common third class relic.

Relics are often housed in reliquaries, which can anywhere from small coin-like holders to ornate housings of a Saint's body for viewing. 

As the Archdiocese of New Orleans explains:

"The Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ and his Apostles. There are four marks or characteristics of the Church, and we are reminded of them each time we pray the Nicene Creed at Mass.  

• One – means all members are united as the Body of Christ, given life by the one Spirit. We acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one Baptism 
• Holy – means the Church is centered on God. It is Christ who, by his sacrifice, makes the Church holy. 
• Catholic – means universal. The Church is for all times and all people. The Church is “the fullness” of the means of salvation” (CCC 830) 
• Apostolic – means the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles. We teach the doctrine of Jesus as it has been handed down through the apostles and their successors, the pope and bishops. 

But being Catholic is more than attending Mass on Sundays. It is an ongoing personal encounter with Christ that renews the spirit so that we may witness God’s love with joy in our world. How do we do that?   

Each Catholic is called to full and active participation in the life of the Church and has the right and responsibility to: 

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation. 
2. Confess your sins, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, at least once a year. 
3. Receive the Eucharist. 
4. Observe the days of fasting (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) and abstinence (Ash Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent) established by the Church. 
5. Help to provide for the needs of the Church. 

Encountering Christ and being a witness to his love means we are called to live like Jesus and work for justice and peace in this world by living the 10 Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

We are called to stand for the: 

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person 
2. Call to Family, Community and Participation 
3. Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person 
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable 
5. Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers 
6. Solidarity of the Human Family 
7. Care for God’s Creation"