The Most Reverend Terry M. Boyer, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symbolism and Meaning of the Coat of Arms

 

Since the middle ages, a coat of arms has been the tradition of the clergy.  It is taken from the armor bearings of nobility and soldiers of the same time period.  For members of the clergy, the same rules apply as those for civic heraldry.  The components of the coat or arms are chosen based on personal history, the clerics rank, jurisdiction, and dignity.  Bishop Terry’s coat of arms is comprised of these elements:

 

· The green galero, or hat, replaces the armor helmet of a king or knight.  Green is the tradition color for a bishop.  The six tassels on either side indicate his rank of jurisdictional bishop.

· The cross behind the shield with a single traverse denotes the dignity of a bishop ordinary.

· The shield is divided into three sections.  The left section signifies the jurisdiction he pastors.  The other sections display symbols of his residential area and this religious order.

à The red designates that he is a warrior for the faith and the cross is the symbol for the ICCW.

à In the upper right, the color white signifies peace and sincerity. The mountains and fir tree symbolizes the Pacific Northwest where the bishop resides.

à In the lower right, the black base color is a sign of constancy in the pursuit of faith.  The word PAX and the gold chalice are symbols of the bishop’s Benedictine heritage.

· For his Episcopal Motto, Bishop Terry has chosen the Latin phrase Deus Providebit, or God Provides.  This motto points toward his firm belief in Gods providence in our daily life.