A story in image: Part 3

Bishop Rene H. Gracida

Bishop Rene H. Gracida Coat of Arms

The personal insignia of Bishop Rene H. Gracida depicts a series of blue and silver lozenges from the coat of arms of St. Vincent Benedictine Archabbey at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where the bishop studied for the priesthood. The blue and silver diamonds give witness to the Bavarian origins of Abbot Boniface Wimmer under whose leadership at Latrobe the Benedictine Order grew in the United States.

The palm tree and the two crosses are taken from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Miami where Bishop Gracida was serving as Vicar General at the time of his call to the episcopacy. The two parts of his shield thus serve to identify the ecclesiastical lineage of the bishop both with regard to his priesthood and his episcopacy. His motto, “Abyssus Abyssum Invocat,” taken from Psalm 41:8 (Vulgate), is translated “Deep is calling to deep” and expresses the program and spirit of the bishop who from the depth of his heart seeks to hear the word that comes from the heart of the Lord that His will may be done.

Bishop Roberto O. González

Bishop Roberto O. González Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Bishop Roberto O. González Nieves, OFM displays an image of Our Mother of Divine Providence who is the heavenly patroness of the people of Puerto Rico, his native commonwealth. Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, is on a field of the Pentecostal color red. The blue “chief” above her denotes truth and perseverance and contains two golden Tau Crosses emblematic of the Franciscan Order.

The dove with the olive branch of peace is a special symbol of the bearer’s family and represents Bishop González’s brother José who died while studying for the priesthood. The dove’s attitude of “rising” suggests readiness to carry the Gospel message of the Prince of Peace. A silver or white border encompasses the coat of arms of the bishop even as the joy of redemption should surround us all. The red, white and blue are the colors of the flag of Puerto Rico. His motto “Vita Per Jesum” proclaims that we have “Life through Jesus.”

Bishop Edmond Carmody

The shield of Bishop Edmond Carmody symbolizes his family, his priestly and missionary service and his devotion to the people, especially to the poor. The green shield in the upper left corner of the bishop’s coat of arms is the color of hope and stands for his birthplace, Ireland. The gold cross that divides his shield is taken from the papal shield of Pope John Paul II and shows the bishop’s union with Rome and solidarity with the Holy Father.

Bishop Edmond Carmody Coat of Arms

In the upper right side of the shield is a silver star on a blue field. As with the coat of arms of former bishops of Corpus Christi, this star denotes the state of Texas, the site of his priestly vocation and episcopal ministry. The sprouting oak stump comes from the Carmody family crest and recalls the strength of the oak, its roots in the earth, that even though cut down to the stump is capable of generating new life. The green leaves signify new hope and life. The red of the background is for courage, readiness to suffer for the faith, even as the Carmody ancestors once were persecuted and martyred for their faith. Finally, next to the oak can be seen a condor in gold with red beak and claws on a field of green.

This majestic bird of the Andes represents Bishop Carmody’s five years of missionary service in Ecuador as a member of the Society of St. James the Apostle. The bird is strong, graceful and high flying. It is a near relative to Bishop Roberto O. González Nieves and also on the crest of the Carmody family. The red claw and beak is a sign of struggle, especially the struggle for independence by the Irish and the Ecuadorian people. By this sign the bishop seeks to ally himself with the poor and the powerless to defend and protect.

Unlike previous bishops, Bishop Carmody chose to express his motto in English—“With Christ all is Possible.” These words represent the bishop’s desire to be the instrument of Christ’s power going out to others, offering hope that is necessary to bring about needed change in people, society and the world.

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey Coat of Arms

For his personal coat of arms, Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey has adopted a design that reflects his heritage and his ministry as a priest of Jesus Christ. The upper portion of Bishop Mulvey’s insignia is a field of gold with a red escallop (Scallop shell) displayed upon it. This is taken from the arms of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, who called the bishop to the fullness of Christ’s priesthood as a bishop. The shell is also a symbol of baptism and the journey of holiness to which all are called.

The lower portion of the design has two blue lions that are taken from the Mulvey family coat of arms. The blue wavy bar across the center of the design represents the Colorado River that runs through the Diocese of Austin. It is taken from the arms of that diocese, the home diocese of Bishop Mulvey and the people of God he served for 35 years in many capacities, including as the diocesan administrator.

The three silver stars signify the heritage of Bishop Mulvey’s mother as well as the Most Holy Trinity. For his motto, Bishop Mulvey selected the phrase “Sententia in Christo Vobis.” This Latin phrase, derived from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Phil 2:5), means essentially “have the same attitude in yourselves as is found in Christ” and expresses the bishop’s deep belief that in order to be a man of communion, our hearts must be moved by the same sentiments that moved the heart of Christ Jesus in his life and mission.

Just as the stain glass in the Gothic cathedrals of Europe became pictorial lessons in the stories of the Scriptures and the primary doctrines of the Faith, so also the seals of the bishops of our diocese are messages in symbols–stories in images–that relate something of these men’s personal and family histories and through their mottos offer a glimpse into elements of the teaching of Christ that are a source of inspiration to them in their ministry.