Bishop
William Giaquinta’s Coat of Arms
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The coat of arms of Bishop William Giaquinta represents
a boat in a stormy sea. In the sky a
star stands out at the side of the prow of the
boat. Above all, there is a motto, “Duc in altum”
- Put out into deep water- Lk 5:4
The symbolism is clear:
the boat symbolizes the Church, sure and
firm in her direction in the midst of stormy seas
which represent the forces of evil. The
star represents Mary, radiant light in the
journey of the Church of which she is
prototype and mother.
People who are familiar with the spirituality and the
apostolic choices of Bishop Giaquinta, clearly see in
his coat of arms the synthesis of his spiritual and
pastoral cut. In fact, it is well known Bishop
Giaquinta’ s fidelity and love for the Church
represented by the Holy Father. All are aware
of Bishop Giaquinta’s constant and challenging
invitation “sentire cum Petro” - to be one
with Peter- as the sure guarantee for those who
want to be in the truth.
Bishop Giaquinta’ s motto
explicitly and specifically refers
to the life and teaching of Our Lord who
invites us to be more and to do more. Bishop
Giaquinta expresses this special invitation of the Lord
with the expression, “spiritual maximalism.”
Jesus’ words to Peter, “Put out into deep water” - Duc
in altum- express his invitation to Peter to move
away from the shore where the water is low, and
to put out into deep water - not to
settle for little, but to strive for the more.
There “into the deep water” Peter trusting the Lord,
stretching a little more, ”lowered the net and caught
such a great number of fish that the nets were at the
breaking point.” Lk 5:6