• The meaning that God led me to is the one in an article by Kuriakos Tharakan Thottupuram, Ph.D., D.D., “Phiro d’Kohnutho, THE FRUIT OF PRIESTHOOD, The Skull Cap of the Syrian Priesthood”⁹.

  In this article, the author states that in the Syrian Church this skull cap is called Elbishto d’Kurobo, the cap for offering the sacrifice, and it is also called Phiro d’Kohnutho, the Fruit of Priesthood.

  According to this article, "wearing the skullcap traces its origins to the Jewish practice of wearing a kippah as a sign of reverence and respect to God, and to indicate one’s insignificance and nothingness before the Sovereign of the universe.

  Christian priests and bishops followed the same custom, because they considered themselves to be the ministers of a perfected Judaism, not as a separate religion. It was the same tradition of Jewish priests that the early Christian priests and bishops accepted when they celebrated the Eucharist, which is the mystical Paschal sacrifice of the New Covenant. Thus the black skull cap became a common headwear for Christian clergy as a continuation of the Jewish priestly practice. The Christian clergy continued this practice even after the separation of the Church from Judaism.

  According to the Syrian Church, another very significant symbol is attached to the skull cap. It symbolizes the crown of thorns that our Lord wore when He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. The priest is sacramentally Christ Himself, and he has to wear this symbol of the crown of thorns when he actualizes the same sacrifice of Christ in our midst and in our time.

  The color of skull caps worn by catholic priests indicates rank. The skullcap color for ordinary catholic priests is black. The significance of the priest in the sculpture wearing a black skull cap signifies humility in the position as one who serves God".

• The message: Take My place amongst men is the true definition of who and what a priest should be for the people. It is a very, very big responsibility and requires a high level of spirituality.

What happens in this station:

A heart with a saint’s crown and sceptre

 

Coronation

 

This is the station when one dedicates one’s self and one’s life completely to God. When a Catholic priest takes his vows, he takes the vow of obedience, chastity and poverty (at the very least simplicity). He belongs to the church and his family is the church. His life is a life of service to God. Likewise, this is the station when one begins one’s education as a priest. This is a period of spiritual growth, education (catechism) and preparation for service and spiritual union.

The ways in which we are dedicated to God:

1. To dedicate oneself to serving Him

2. To dedicate oneself to loving Him

Both are connected for one cannot fully serve God unless one is fully committed to loving God. Just as Jesus was completely dedicated to serving and loving The Father, so must one be.