John Francis Hackett

JOHN FRANCIS HACKETT

Born : December 7, 1911
Deceased : May 30, 1990

Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford, 1953-1986

Official blazon

Azure, three hake fishes hauriant argent, the jaws of each pierced with a fleur-de-lis or, on a chief indented lozengy of the second and the field, a demi-eagle issuing from the base of the third.

MOTTO: Manete in Christo.

Origin/meaning

The arms are based on the arms of the Hackett family of Ireland. Both the Irish and English Hacketts bore three silver fish hauriant on a blue field as allusive arms to their name. It is probable that "hake" and "Hackett" were pronounced alike as regards the first syllable; hence the hake as the symbol of the Hacketts. The hakes have been differenced by the addition of a golden fleur-de lis to the mouth of each, as a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the fact the prelate made his studies in philosophy and theology in France, and was ordained by Cardinal Verdier, Archbishop of Paris.

The indented lines of the chief are in honor of Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Our Lord, patron of the Bishop. The chief emblazoned with lozenges is from the arms of the Whalen family of the Bishop's mother. The eagle is the symbol of Saint John the Evangelist, the baptismal patron of the Bishop.

The motto derives from the Gospel of St. John (4: 15) and means "Abide in Me and I in you."