Robert Francis Joyce

ROBERT FRANCIS JOYCE

Born : October 7, 1896
Deceased : September 2, 1990

Auxiliary bishop of Burlington, 1954-19557
Bishop of Burlington, 1957-1971

As auxiliary bishop

As bishop

Official blazon

Argent, on an eagle displayed gules an open book proper charged with the letters I H S sable, in base a double knotted card proper and in chief three roses in fesse, one of the second between two or

Motto: Ut vitam habeant

Origin/meaning

The red eagle on a silver field is taken from the arms of a (non related) Joyce family. The open book with the letters IHS, taken from the arms of the Society of Jesus, refer to the Bishop's baptismal patron, St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the Church, canonized in 1923, and a member of the Jesuit Order.

The triple knotted cord is for Saint Francis of Assisi, the other Prelate's patron saint.

The three roses in chief refer to the Rosary of Our Lady, the red rose indicating the sorrowful mysteries, and the two golden ones indicating the joyful and glorious mysteries. Bishop Joyce was born on the feast of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The motto is taken from Saint John's Gospel, 10: 10: "I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."