Thomas John Rodi

THOMAS JOHN RODI

Born : March 27, 1949
Deceased :

Bishop of Biloxi, 2001-2008
Archbbshop of Mobile, 2008-present

Bishop of Biloxi

Archbishop of Mobile

Official blazon

• (Biloxi) Arms impaled. Dexter: Or, a lighthouse Argent between to dexter a pine tree Vert and to sinister a crescent encircled by twelve stars. Azure: on a base·wavy of the fourth a fishnet, of the second, lined Sable, thereupon an anchor between two fish, all of the first. Sinister: Azure a cross throughout Or: within the quarters: I, am "Alpha;" II, a star; III a magnolia blossom and IV, an "Omega" all Argent.

Origin/meaning

Traditionally, the dexter impalement is given over to the arms of the jurisdiction, in this case the Diocese of Biloxi or the Archdiocese of Mobile.

For his personal arms Bishop Rod, has adopted a design to reflect his life and heritage.

The arms are composed of a blue field on which is displayed a gold cross of The Faith which the bishop has been called to serve in the ministerial priesthood. Within the quarters that are created by the cross on the field are an "Alpha" and an "Omega," to signify that in all that the bishop does, as would be the case for each Christian, the beginning and the end of all things is to be the Lord Jesus Christ, as written in the Book of Revelations.

In the other quarters of the design are a star, for Our Lady, in her title of "Our Lady of Prompt Succor," signifying that Mary is the brightest star on life's vast ocean. Just as a star guides a seafarer to the safety of a port, Mary guides us to the Lord.

A magnolia blossom in located in the final quarter of the coat of arms. The magnolia is the state flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi, honoring the people that His Excellency has had the honor to serve in his priestly ministry in the archdiocese of New Orleans, and later in his episcopal ministry in Biloxi .

The achievement is completed with the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by instruction of the Holy See, of March 1969, confirmed in March 2001.

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Literature : Information from the Diocese of Biloxi, 2004.