Chicagoland

Bishop John Siemianowski's coat of arms

By Chicago Catholic staff
Thursday, March 6, 2025

Bishop Siemianowski’s coat of arms is reflective of his ethnic heritage and the God who is constantly creating things anew.

The use of the colors of red, blue and white are a subtle nod to the flags of both the Czech and Polish republics, from which the bishop’s ancestors immigrated to Chicago.

The upper left of the shield represents a lake and the bishop’s love of water. The fish in the lake, along with the basket of bread in the upper right of the shield, is symbolic of God’s continual feeding of his people, and Jesus’ miracle of the loaves and fish, which reminds us that God’s generosity is never complete.

The basket of bread also pays homage to a lineage of bakers in the bishop’s family.

The six-sided star in the center of the shield symbolizes Chicago, where the bishop has lived and served in priestly ministry. It also symbolizes the six Siemianowski brothers and sisters, and finally, the bishop’s awe of the heavens. Born on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, looking up to the heavens is natural for the bishop.

The tulips in the lower third of the shield are symbolic of God’s creation and the bishop’s love of gardening. The tulips’ imperfections are a reminder that we also are imperfect people in need of God’s renewal.

The motto below the shield is “Make all things new,” from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, verse 5, which signifies God’s power to completely transform and renew everything.

Bishop Siemianowski’s coat of arms is reflective of his ethnic heritage and the God who is constantly creating things anew.

The use of the colors of red, blue and white are a subtle nod to the flags of both the Czech and Polish republics, from which the bishop’s ancestors immigrated to Chicago.

The upper left of the shield represents a lake and the bishop’s love of water. The fish in the lake, along with the basket of bread in the upper right of the shield, is symbolic of God’s continual feeding of his people, and Jesus’ miracle of the loaves and fish, which reminds us that God’s generosity is never complete.

The basket of bread also pays homage to a lineage of bakers in the bishop’s family.

The six-sided star in the center of the shield symbolizes Chicago, where the bishop has lived and served in priestly ministry. It also symbolizes the six Siemianowski brothers and sisters, and finally, the bishop’s awe of the heavens. Born on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, looking up to the heavens is natural for the bishop.

The tulips in the lower third of the shield are symbolic of God’s creation and the bishop’s love of gardening. The tulips’ imperfections are a reminder that we also are imperfect people in need of God’s renewal.

The motto below the shield is “Make all things new,” from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, verse 5, which signifies God’s power to completely transform and renew everything.

Topics:

  • auxiliary bishops

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