José Arturo Cepeda Escobedo
JOSÉ ARTURO CEPEDA ESCOBEDO
Born: May 15, 1969
Deceased:
Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, 2011-present; Titular Bishop of Tagase
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Origin/meaning
The "Tortuga Azteca", or "Aztec Turtle" in the upper left quarter signifies Bishop's home town of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. During the pre-colonial period before the town's foundation, the native Chichimeca and Huachichil tribes inhabiting the area named it "The Valley of Turtles" because of the abundance of water, flowers, and turtles found there. The turtle also refers to the proclamation of the Gospel by the Franciscan missionaries who established the first Christian communities in the region, calling it "El Gran Tunal" (grand place of Tuna fruit). The gold of the turtles against a black background is used to designate the gold mines of the Cerro de San Pedro constructed during the colonial period, near which was established in 1592 the town of San Luis Potosí.
On the right upper quarter there is a charge of a single star. This "Lone Star" represents the State of Texas, to which Bishop and his family immigrated when he was a youth. This is derived from the Coat of Arms of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, - where Bishop found the seed of his priestly vocation nurtured and brought to fruition. The field of blue recalls his personal devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, who has guided his vocation.
The third quarter features the image of a pitcher, bowl and towel, a symbol of service, designating Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet and then instructing them, "As I have done for you, you should also do." (John 13:15) In using this symbol, Bishop remembers with great love and admiration his family, who are models of faith, hospitality, and service - always ready to welcome into their lives the poor and the lonely. The basin and towel represent Bishop's own commitment to serving God's people with compassion and humility. It is featured. against a field of blue, representing water.
The Sacred Scripture represents the very foundation of Bishop's ministry as proclaimed in his motto: "Hearing, Becoming, Proclaiming." When the Lord invited Ezekiel to consume this Word and be consumed by the Word, he responded: "In my mouth it was as sweet as honey."(Ezekiel 3:3).
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