Giacomo Morandi

GIACOMO MORANDI

Born : August 24, 1965
Deceased :

Titular Archbishop of Caere, 2017-2022
Archbishop ad personam of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla, 2022-present

Official blazon

(it) Inquartato: nel primo d’azzurro al libro aperto d’oro; nel secondo d’oro al gufo al naturale; nel terzo pure d’oro alla stella di otto punte d’azzurro; nel quarto d’azzurro alla barca flottante nel mare agitato issante una rete carica di sette pesci, il tutto al naturale.Sul tutto in cuore lo scudetto d’azzurro carico della croce di San Geminiano d’oro. Motto: DOMINE TU OMNIA SCIS.

Origin/meaning

Gold and blue are the heraldic colors of Modena, St. Geminiano is the main patron saint of the same city, the birthplace of the bishop Morandi.

The book represents the Bible, the Word of God; the owl, whose large eyes allow him to see even at night, is the symbol of the one who watches in contemplation by praying and acquires wisdom not only through studies, but a gift from Jesus Christ to whom he gave his life.

In the third quarter a star is the symbol of the Virgin Mary (Stella Maris is one of the oldest titles referring to the Virgin and Stella Matutina is defined in the Litany) Christian guide; in the fourth part the boat with a net with seven fish is the image of the Church of Peter sent to evangelize. The seven fish allude to the scene described in John 21, where the disciples led by Peter return without having taken anything, the risen Lord goes to meet them and invites them to go out again to fish and this time the fishing is overabundant.

The motto of the coat of arms "DOMINE TU OMNIA SCIS" (Lord, you know everything) is taken from the same scene: it is part of the conversation between Jesus and Peter after the miraculous fishing. Sorrowful Peter tells his Lord that he knows everything, that is, he knows his weakness and fragility.

The coat of arms is awarded the archiepiscopal cross, because the bishop has the personal title of "archbishop of Cerveteri".