Auxiliary Bishops

Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel

• Curriculum Vitae
• Coat of Arms

Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz

• Curriculum Vitae
• Coat of Arms

Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel
Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Dallas

Curriculum Vitae

Coat of Arms - Bishop Doug Deshotel

Blazon:

Party per fess; to chief dexter tirced per pale Azure, Argent and Gules; to dexter a star and to sinister a fleur-de-lis both of the second; in a base Vert, issuant from base a pelican in her piety Proper

Significance:

The episcopal heraldic achievement, or bishop’s coat of arms, is composed of a shield, which is the central and most important part of the design, a scroll with a motto and the external ornamentation. The design is described (blazoned) as if the description was being given by the bearer (from behind) with the shield being worn on the left arm. Thus, it must be remembered, where it applies, as the device is viewed from the front that the terms sinister and dexter are reversed.

As a bishop without canonical jurisdiction (an auxiliary bishop), Bishop Deshotel’s personal arms occupy the entire shield.

These arms are composed of two main sections. The upper portion, known as a chief is blue, white and red, with a white star on the blue field which is the arrangement of the Acadian flag, indicating that His Excellency is of Cajun roots in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Acadians, of French heritage, fled Canada in the mid-1700’s and settled in southern Louisiana. On the red portion of the tricolors is a fleur-de-lis to represent the deep French connections of the Acadians.

In the lower portion of the design is a green field with a pelican, feeding her brood with blood from her own breast. This symbolism, known as a “pelican in her piety” is a classic representation of southern Louisiana.

For his motto, His Excellency Bishop Deshotel has selected the Latin phrase, “CHRISTUS CARITAS URGET ME.” In the phrase, His Excellency Bishop Deshotel express his profound belief that it is “Christ’s love that urges him on.”

The achievement in completed by the external ornamentation which are a gold (yellow) processional cross, that is placed in back of the shield and which extends above and below the shield, and the pontifical hat, called a “galero,” with its six tassels in three rows on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop, by instruction of The Holy See, of March 31, 1969.

Bishop Deshotel's arms were devised by Deacon Paul J. Sullivan, in consultation with the Bishop.

Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz
Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Dallas

Curriculum Vitae

• Also See: Curriculum Vitae - Bishop Mark J. Seitz (PDF)

Coat of Arms - Bishop Mark Seitz

When a priest is named to the office of Bishop he is given a number of tasks that have the value of inviting him to reflect upon his identity and his goals. He has to choose a motto and to develop a shield or coat of arms.

I have chosen the motto, “Paratum cor meum”, “My heart is ready”. The Coat of Arms must be done by a rare person with artistic ability and a knowledge of heraldry. Mine was created by a permanent deacon, Deacon Paul Sullivan, from Rhode Island, who designs these shields for most of the bishops of the United States.

There is more here than I am even capable of explaining, but I would like to give you a little summary of the basic symbols on the crest.

1. Beginning at the upper left, the red rose is the "Rose for Life". I wanted some symbol of my commitment to the Gospel of Life, which is really an expression of my concern that the dignity of human life be respected at all of its stages from conception to natural death. Without this fundamental respect, which especially extends to the most vulnerable, no society can be a good or a healthy society.

2. The anchor is the “anchor of hope”, which was a symbol of Roger Williams, my ancestor, and which is found on the flag of Rhode Island. Roger Williams was the Baptist minister who founded Rhode Island on principles of religious liberty and freedom of conscience. I hope also to be effective in working with people of other faiths and to be a contributor to the good of our nation.

There is a beautiful line in Hebrews referring to this anchor,

"...we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Heb. 6:18b-20)

3. The trefoil (shamrock) speaks to my Irish heritage, to the importance of teaching the Faith and, of course, harkens back to St. Patrick, one of our Faith’s most effective missionaries.

4. The blue and white diamond pattern is a sign of my Bavarian heritage.

5. The winged lion is the symbol for St. Mark the Evangelist. St. Mark is, of course, my patron. I hope to imitate him in his service of the Apostles Peter and Paul and in his ability to effectively translate the Faith to those who needed to hear the message of salvation. The lion also happens to be a symbol of Bavaria.

Please keep me in your prayers that my life may honorably reflect these signs.

Originally published in the weekly "InSeitz" column of the weekly bulletin of All Saints Catholic Church, April 25, 2010

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