A Call to Follow: Understanding Archbishop Vásquez’s coat of arms

The Archepiscopal heraldic achievement or Archbishop’s coat of arms is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll, and the external ornamentation. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th-century terms. This description is presented as if given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies, the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.

By heraldic tradition, the arms of the Archbishop, who is the “first among equals” of an ecclesiastical province, called a “Metropolitan Archbishop,” are joined, impaled, with the arms of his jurisdiction. In this case, these are the arms of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

These arms are composed of a blue field on which is displayed a scattering (semé) of silver (white) roses. These roses are used to represent the Blessed Virgin Mary, in her title of the Mystical Rose, titular of the Cathedral-Basilica in the See City of Galveston. Upon this symbolism is a red cross of The Faith, with a square center that contains a single silver star to represent Texas, the “Lone Star State.”

For his personal arms, His Excellency Archbishop Vásquez has selected a device that reflects his life as a priest and now as a bishop.

Rendered primarily in Hispanic colors of gold and red to reflect the heritage that has come to him from his parents, Juan and Elvira Vásquez, His Excellency Archbishop Vásquez’s design expresses his deep dedication and devotion to the members of The Holy Family.

Prime among these, of course, is “The Cross,” presented here in red on a gold (yellow) field. It is by way of this cross that Our Savior, Jesus Christ, redeemed the world and to which Archbishop Vásquez has dedicated himself in the Holy Orders in The Church.

In the lower left of the Archbishop’s shield (base dexter) is a red rosebud with its stem and leaves rendered properly in green. The rose is used to honor Mary, in her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for it was the roses that Blessed Juan Diego carried to the Bishop of Mexico City as the sign of his apparition from the Virgin Mary. It was in carrying the roses in his garment, which also led to her likeness being placed on his tilma, which still hangs in the basilica dedicated to Mary as Queen of Mexico and Empress of The Americas.

In the upper right (chief sinister) is a fleur-de-lis, a special representation of a lily for St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. The lily is used to reflect that the Archbishop was assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Odessa, Texas, pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Ft. Stockton, Texas, and when he was selected to receive the fullness of Christ’s priesthood by being named auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, he was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo, Texas.

The fleur-de-lis used here is also special for it is called “Florentine” as it is used in the arms of the city of Florence, Italy. The name of the city, when said in Italian, is “Fiorenza,” the surname of the bishop who laid his hands upon Archbishop Vásquez twice, having ordained him a priest and a bishop.

For his motto, Archbishop Vásquez uses the single word in Spanish, “SÍGUEME.” This word expresses the instruction that Christ gives each of those called by the name of Christian, “Follow Me,” for it is what it means to be a Christian, as one who follows Christ.

The achievement is completed with external ornaments, which are a bejeweled gold Archepiscopal processional cross that has two cross-members, that is placed behind and extends above and below the shield, and a pontifical hat, called a “Gallero,” with its 10 tassels, in four rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. 

What is a coat of arms?
Heraldry may seem like an outdated practice, evoking images of castles, knights and ladies. The coat of arms was first developed and used in medieval times as a way of identifying families, individuals or clerics. In many ways, a coat of arms is like an intricate logo, used to help brand a person or family and give insight into who they are and where they came from.

Historic family shields contained many images, including swords, animals, stars, shapes, plants and other symbols.

Ecclesiastical heraldry serves a similar purpose. It’s a quick way to identify bishops and cardinals.

Around the shield
There are several decorative elements around the shield that comprise the coat of arms. These items include the ecclesiastical hat, cross, tassels and motto.

The use of an ecclesiastical hat on a coat of arms probably originated with the red hats worn by cardinals as vestments starting in 1245. Catholic cardinals have red hats and tassels atop their shields, while bishops have green hats.

The number of tassels is another indicator of rank or hierarchy. Bishops have six tassels, archbishops have 10 tassels and cardinals have 15.

A motto, usually of the bishop’s or cardinal’s choosing, is included on a ribbon under the shield. This is a statement chosen by the bishop that speaks strongly to his beliefs.

Archbishop Vásquez’s motto is “Sígueme” which translates to: “Follow me.”

The Shield
The shield itself is the heart of the coat of arms. These are unique to each bishop and usually include symbols that “tell the story” of that individual. Symbols vary greatly, but may speak to his interests, background or former service.

For his personal arms, Archbishop Vásquez utilizes gold and red colors to reflect his Hispanic lineage with a large red cross as the main element. His arms also include a red rose symbolic of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a red fleur-de-lis — or lily — commonly associated with St. Joseph. Archbishop Vásquez has chosen design elements that give us insight to his long journey of faith and his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Family.

As ordinary of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Vásquez’s coat of arms is joined with the Archdiocesan coat of arms. The Archdiocesan arms include a blue field with roses for the Blessed Virgin Mary and a red cross with a single star to represent Texas. 

Father Mark Hebert contributed to this report.