Leonard James Olivier

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search

LEONARD JAMES OLIVIER

Born: October 12, 1923
Deceased:

Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, 1988-2004; Titular Bishop of Legia

Arms (crest) of Leonard James Olivier
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Azure, on a mount in base Or charged with a bar wavy Azure, a dove Argent, in its beak a branch of olive Vert fructed Or, on a chief per pale Gules and Or, in the dexter a terrestial globe surmounted on a cross coupled Argent, in the sinister a roundel of the last fimbrated Azure.

Origin/meaning

The dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit, alludes to Bishop Olivier's motto and honors the influence of the Holy Ghost Fathers in his life. The olive branch, symbol of peace and strength also sings, or cants, in an heraldic manner upon the family name, Olivier.

The blue wavy bar across the gold mount recalls the Bayou region of Louisiana. In this area are the dioceses of Lafayette and Lake Charles where Bishop Olivier was born and has served as a priest. The arms of these dioceses also display the combined colors of blue and gold.

The red part of the chief is charged with he insignia, or emblem, of the Society of the Divine Word, a custom long established for members of religious orders who are raised to the episcopate. The Society displays a terrestial globe surmounted by a cross in silver symbolic of its commitment to world evangelization to draw all to Christ. The gold section is charged with a silver disc edged in blue honoring the Eucharist, and commemorates the influence of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bishop Olivier's life; the colors of this sisterhood are blue and white.

Bishop Olivier's motto, "Lead Me, Guide Me," is taken from Psalm 30, verse 4; it expresses his prayer for wisdom, guidance and strength for himself and for all those committed to his care.



Religious or Ecclesiastical heraldry portal



This page is part of the
Ceh.jpg
Ecclesiastical heraldry portal


Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World

Catholic heraldry


Other Christian churches


Other religions


  • Total pages in the Ecclesiastical section : 18,832
  • Total images in the Ecclesiastical section : 17,800

Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site

Literature: http://www.adw.org/leadership/aux_bishops/coat_olivier.html (2004)