By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
MIAMI | Bishop Enrique Delgado has adopted within his shield symbols that indicate his interests and service. The shield is in three sections:
The dominant upper left is an eight-pointed star which is an ancient symbol of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, as she stands as the Star of the New Evangelization. The star also honors Pope Francis, who named the new bishop. It is taken from the coat of arms of the Holy Father in thanksgiving for the trust placed in the new bishop. Below the star are waves signifying the waters of baptism and the coastal waters depicted on the coat of arms of the see of Miami, where the bishop has served as presbyter and pastor.
To the right is the vicuña, the national animal of Peru, the birthplace of the bishop. The vicuña is depicted perched atop the high alpine areas of the Peruvian Andes, which is symbolic of the biblical references to the mountain of the Lord and the inauguration of the ministry of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
The bottom section is the new ministry of the bishop, symbolized by the paschal lamb, in the role of the shepherd and his sheep. The shepherd is prepared to lay down his life for his flock and to sacrifice everything for them. Pope Francis has called the world’s priests to bring the healing power of God’s grace to everyone, to stay close to the marginalized and to be “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.” The Holy Father asks the faithful to “be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may be shepherds according to God’s heart.”
The coat of arms of Bishop Delgado is distinguished by the special insignia around the shield, which indicates the rank of bishop. The most prominent is the low-crowned, wide-brimmed ecclesiastical hat or galero. The color and ornamentation of green and the number of tassels indicates his rank as a bishop.
The shield is surmounted by the processional cross and the bishop’s motto unfurls below. The bishop has chosen as his motto: Omnia possum in eo qui me confortat � I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians 4:13.
“In thanksgiving to God, and to fulfill his will, I can rise superior to any condition through the strength which Christ gives,” said Bishop Delgado.
