John Joseph Nevins

JOHN JOSEPH NEVINS

Born : January 19, 1932
Deceased : August 26, 2014

Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, 1979-1984
Bishop of Venice, 1984-2007

Auxiliary Bishop of Miami

Bishop of Venice

Origin/meaning

As Auxiliary Bishop he used as arms a red shield, honoring the Spanish speaking of the diocese of Miamo. On the red field is a silver Keltic cross, the cross a universal symbol of Christianity, the silver to reflect the light of truth of our redemption by Christ, the Keltic style cross to represent Irish culture, religion and the Bishop's Irish ancestry. The cross sits on two gold palm branches, one from the arms of a certain Nevins family and thus symbolising his family name and his parents, and the other branch from the arms of the Archdiocese of Miami.

Two silver hands in gold sleeves extend a welcome, Bishop Nevins' main theme, that of the Prodigal Son who was welcomed with mercy and love as in the Bishop's motto "To Serve With Mercy."

The bishop changed his arms considerably between Miami and Venice, and, contrary to tradition, did not impale his personal arms with the diocesan arms.

The red and gold are the historic colors of Spain and indicate gratitude to those who first brought the faith to Florida, and the Bishop's pastoral ministry to the Spanish-speaking peoples of today. The red cross in saltire is commonly known as the Cross of St. Patrick and connotes his Irish ancestry. The cross is charged with two gold palm branches. One is taken from the arms of some (unrelated) Nevins family and honors John and Anne Nevins, the Bishop's parents. The other palm branch is an adaptation from the palm tree that figures in the arms of the Archdiocese of Miami, and witnesses to his ministry as priest and Auxiliary Bishop there.

The chief, issues a call to a strong, vibrant faith and spirituality with its two Celtic crosses in green on a silver or white background. Between these, on a red pale are two clasped hands in gold. It symbolizes the chosen ideals and themes of Bishop Nevins' ministry: welcome and reconciliation, mercy and compassion. It reminds us of the Gospel story of the father reaching out to welcome the prodigal son, of the great commandment to love one another, and of all that we intend by the greeting of peace in the Eucharist. This theme is perfectly summed-up in his motto: To Serve With Mercy.

The achievement is completed with the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop.

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Literature : http://www.dioceseofvenice.or g/bishop/crest.cfm, 2004 and The Voice, Miami March 23, 1979.