St. John Neumann Catholic Church
Coat of Arms
Significance
The shield's shape is that of the Diocese. The shield is in three divisions or chevron, a reference to the Holy Trinity. The escutcheon of the Diocese of Charleston at the top of the shield is based upon those of His Holiness, Pope Pius VII who established the See on July 20, 1820. This Pope was a Benedictine monk of the Chiarmonti family. The Diocese displays in her arms three Moline crosses symbolic of that ancient Order. The St. John Neumann coat of arms displays two Moline crosses, also a reference to Pope Pius VII and to our diocese. To commemorate the See City, named in honor for King Charles II of England, a golden lion from the arms of this sovereign is displayed on a red background. This majestic beast is also a heraldic pun on the name of the founding Bishop John England inasmuch as the golden lion "passant guardant" on a red field is known as the "Lion of England." The charges or elements which have significance to our parish include a Palmetto tree, three blue interlaced annulets, a rising cross and a globe. The Palmetto tree represents both South Carolina and Bishop Baker's arms. The gold chief or field indicates loyalty and faithfulness, a sign of God's reign already at hand. On the right side (the shield bearer's left or sinister side behind the shield) are three blue interlaced annulets. The number three is a reference to the Holy Trinity, with the color blue representing our fidelity to God. The annulets are also a reference to our devotion to Mary (who is traditionally depicted wearing a blue mantle) and to our commitment to become like her, a constantly true and faithful servant of our Lord. At the base of the shield, the green chief represents growth in the Faith as suggested by the liturgical color for "Ordinary Time" when the Church teaches us to mature in our faith commitment. The Great Cross of St. Augustine is representative of Bishop Baker's personal coat of arms and his diocese of ordination into the priesthood in St. Augustine, Florida. It also denotes the location of the first Mass celebrated on this continent. It is the cross of our redemption and its special design and location remind us of the beginnings of the Faith in our country. Its great value to us is seen in its golden color and refers to Christ's love for all humanity and our commitment to journey in His footsteps. The globe represents our cultural and ethnic diversity because we are a parish that champions the unique value of each individual as every one of us brings his or her own unique gifts, talents and perspectives to our parish community.
The shield is ensigned with our parish motto, "United in Our Faith".
