The remarkable journey of an inspirational crucifix

By Mary P. Walker | Senior Correspondent

Years ago, Episcopalian William (Buck) Buchanan wanted to become Catholic. He also wanted a crucifix for his personal devotion, so Buck talked to a priest about this. The priest advised him to get one that would make him want to kneel when he looked at Jesus suffering for our salvation.
Buck and his wife, Lucille, were members of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station, and Buck joined the church there through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process. Although he was now able to fully participate in the spiritual riches of the sacraments, he still had not found that inspirational crucifix.
During the last days of her sister’s life, Lucille traveled with her to Italy. There, she saw a large crucifix for sale that was made by German artists.
“You could look at Jesus and feel the pain. I called Buck and told him ‘I think I found your crucifix,’” Lucille said.
She then faced the challenge of bringing the crucifix home. Concerned about damage during shipping, Lucille had it wrapped, and transported the cumbersome package herself, making sure it was carefully stowed on the airplane. Father Dean Wilhelm, then pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, blessed the crucifix, and it held a special place in the Buchanans’ hearts.
In 2004, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish completed a chapel dedicated to perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a transforming event in the life and history of the parish. At the time, Buck was ill and facing his last days on earth. He asked Lucille if she would mind donating the crucifix to the parish for the chapel. Of course, she agreed.
On the day of Buck’s funeral in 2005, then pastor Father Michael O’Connor accepted the gift of the crucifix on behalf of the parish. As the chapel already had a very large crucifix hanging from the ceiling in the sanctuary, this one was placed in the narthex.
Father Greg Gerhart takes up the story from here. As vocation director for the diocese, he lives in the St. Charles Borromeo House in Austin. This house is a place for men to intentionally discern whether God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life. They live a life similar to that of a seminarian, which includes prayer, Mass in the chapel, shared meals, household duties and celibacy. In addition, they participate in local parish ministries as they work or attend college.
Seminarian Joshua Lake spent four months living in the Borromeo House. As he neared graduation from Texas A&M University in December 2019 with a degree in industrial distribution, he wondered whether God was calling him to the priesthood. Because he had never considered this before, he needed time and space to explore the possibility.
After he attended a discernment retreat, he was invited to live in the Borromeo House so he could figure out the next step in his life.
“The rule of life is centered on prayer and community, and you have frequent contact with the vocation director,” Lake said. His time at the Borromeo House clarified the decision to embark on the path toward the priesthood. Today, he attends Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
When Father Gerhart moved into the Borromeo House last summer, he wanted to make some renovations to the chapel. With the help of his parents, he embarked on a do-it-yourself project of painting and installing flooring and wainscoting. As the renovation progressed, it became clear the cross in that chapel no longer fit in with the new look.  
On a visit to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Father Gerhart saw the crucifix given by the Buchanans in the adoration chapel narthex and found the carving of Jesus especially moving. While the crucifix held an honored place in that chapel, Father Gerhart thought it would be even more inspirational if placed over the altar in the renovated chapel at the Borromeo House.
With a leap of faith, Father Gerhart asked current pastor Father Albert Laforet if the parish would consider donating the cross. Lucille was consulted; she thought it was a wonderful idea and one that would please her late husband.
“I was excited to know that the crucifix would be some place where it would inspire young men,” she said.
This new home for the crucifix, where it will be venerated by young men considering the priesthood, is especially fitting. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish has a rich history of fostering vocations to the priesthood, most recently celebrating the ordinations of Fathers Will Rooney and Chris Smith last summer.
Father Gerhart’s own vocation story includes a personal connection to the parish. He served as a catechist and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at the parish while attending Texas A&M University. For him, the crucifix is a reminder of God’s providence. God was with him then, and God continues to be with him today as vocations director.