Douglas John Lucia

DOUGLAS JOHN LUCIA

Born: March 17, 1963
Deceased:

Bishop of Syracuse, 2019-present

Official blazon
English	blazon wanted

Or, a cross pommé Azure, surmounted of a closed book Sable, embellished Or, thereon a sun in splendor also Or, inscribed with the Christological monogram « IHS » Sable. On a chief Gules a Celtic triquetra Or, Impaled with the arms of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse in New York.

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 chief is red, the color associated with the zeal and fervor of Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers. Bishop Lucia wished to include homage to Saint Dominic because he is to be consecrated a bishop on his feast day (8 August) and also because he intends to exude similar zeal in his new ministry in Syracuse.

Upon this red field is placed the golden Triquetra, one of only a few approved emblems for the Blessed Trinity in Catholic heraldic design. A particular “Irish Knot” adaptation of the Triquetra was selected as a subtle, secondary way to honor Saint Patrick of Ireland, Bishop Lucia’s birth patron.

The golden field continues the honor to Almighty God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The arrow loop - a narrow window of a castle tower through which defensive arrows and crossbow bolts could be fired in troubled times - was adopted from the castle tower that appears most prominently in the diocesan arms of Ogdensburg, where he was ordained as a priest. It is in the shape of a cross pommé. The cross is deep blue, the color symbolic of philosophy and thus symbolic of the teaching authority of the episcopacy.

Placed upon the cross is a book of Sacred Scripture, worked in black to suggest leather. The book is embellished in gold and upon its cover appears a sun in splendor. The sun in this design is a pun of sorts. It has been placed here as tribute to the Lucia family; the Lucia surname translating in English to light. Upon this sun appears the Christological monogram « I H S ». The initials of this special monogram represent the written name of Jesus which Saint Bernardine of Siena (d.1444) later extrapolated to also mean: Jesus, Savior of Men.

The external elements include the pilgrim’s hat, or galero, in deep green, the true color of the Office of Bishop. Six tassels, or fiocchi, suspend on either side of the hat and the interior of the hat is worked in scarlet to represent martyrdom. An episcopal cross with a single cross-arm, rises above and behind the shield. At the terminus of each arm is found a fleur de lys, the heraldic flower reserved for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bishop Lucia’s mother’s family arms include a fleur de lys. At the center of this cross, known as a Cross Fleury, is found a large emerald, paying further homage to St. Patrick of Ireland.

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