COAT OF ARMS

The Most Reverend Earl Fernandes, S.T.D. Description of the Coat of Arms

Thirteenth Bishop of Columbus

BY BISHOP-ELECT EARL K. FERNANDES

Green hat represents patriarchs, including bishops, with 12 attached tassels, six on each side with one on top, two below it, then three below the two. A botonny processional cross, which has five red gemstones to represent the Five Wounds of Christ. The cross also represents the bishop’s rank, “impaled” (vertically) behind the shield.

left side*

right side*

Diocese of Columbus’ Coat of Arms

The ancient sailing ship in silver/white with the letter M in red on its sail represents the Santa Maria, which brought Christopher Columbus to the New World. Bishop Fernandes’ See City was named for Columbus in 1812.

For his episcopal motto, Bishop Fernandes chose words from a famous short prayer by the Servant of God, Monsignor Luigi Giussani: “Veni Sancte Spiritus, veni per Mariam” (“Come Holy Spirit, come through Mary”). *In heraldry, right and left are exchanged from the observer’s point of view since it is customary to consider the right and left side from the soldier’s perspective as he holds his own shield.

Bishop Fernandes’ Personal Coat of Arms

The chevron is a heraldic device best described as an inverted “V” and is one of the most ancient figures in heraldry. It frequently signifies the rafter that supports the church’s roof; thus, it symbolizes protection.

Scallop shells, which also appear on the Fernandes family crest and symbolize the Church’s pilgrimage on earth. The three shells recall the Holy Trinity and baptism, by which people are immersed in the life of the Triune God.

The plough inspires a sentiment of peace, serenity and good and laborious work amid the beauty of creation.

Bishop Fernandes’ personal coat of arms was designed by Dr. Renato Poletti of Rome, Italy. According to the Roman Catholic Church heraldic tradition, a bishop’s Coat of Arms is normally composed of a shield, golden processional cross, green hat and scroll.

What do the colors symbolize?

• Gold - is the first among the noble metals and symbolizes the first virtue, faith, which helps us understand the mystery of Salvation. • Red - is the color of love (charity) and of blood, symbolizing the infinite love of the Father Who sent the Son to shed His blood for our redemption and the forgiveness of sins. • Blue & white - heraldic symbols of water, a key symbol of baptism reminding us that the bishop is his diocese’s primary sacramental minister. The blue and white colors also recall

Bishop Fernandes’ close association with the

Missionaries of Charity, founded by St. Teresa of

Calcutta.

Why the plough image?

• Bishop Fernandes is the son of immigrants from India, a nation renowned for its tradition of peace and non-violence. Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the red plough appears on both his personal coat of arms and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Coat of Arms. It recalls the Roman hero Cincinnatus (c. 519 - c. 430 BCE), who was asked by senators to abandon the fields he was ploughing and lead the Roman soldiers against invading neighbors (Aequians). • After quickly and thoroughly defeating the enemy and preserving the state, Cincinnatus refused the spoils of war and retired again, resuming his life as a farmer working his own land. He preferred this to a king’s life, glorying more in his poverty than others did in their riches, and so laid down his arms, for he cared little for war.

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