René Henry Gracida

RENÉ HENRY GRACIDA

Born : June 9, 1923
Deceased :

Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, 1972-1975
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 1975-1983
Bishop of Corpus Christi, 1983-1997

Auxiliary Bishop of Miami	Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Bishop of Corpus Christi

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

As common in US episcopal heraldry, the arms show the arms of the diocese impaled with the personal arms of the bishop.

The arms are based on the coat of arms of St. Vincent Archabbey where Bishop Gracida studied for the priesthood. These are the arms of Bavaria where the mother Abbey of St. Michael the Archangel gave birth to St. Vincent's Archabbey in Latrobe. Thus the blue and silver diamonds tell the story of the growth of the Faith - the mustard seed planted by St. Benedict at the beginning of the sixth century.

The palm tree and the two crosses are taken from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Miami. where the Bishop has served as a priest since his sacerdotal ordination. and where he was Vicar General at the time of his appointment to the episcopacy.

The motto of Bishop Gracida. which expresses his program and spirit, is "Abvssus Abvssum Invocat" which translated means "Deep is calling to deep" and is a phrase taken from Psalm 41:8 (Vulgate>.

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