by Tablet Staff

External Elements 

The external elements of Archbishop Ronald Hick’s coat of arms are those of a metropolitan archbishop. The archepiscopal cross has two horizontal bars, denoting an archbishop rather than the single crossbar of a bishop.  

The galero, or clerical hat, is green — the ancient color associated with bishops — and descending from the galero are 20 tassels for the rank of archbishop.  

 

Left Half of the Shield 

The arms of the Archdiocese of New York.  

These arms are composed of a silver (white) field on which is displayed a red saltire, a charge that resembles the letter “X.” Known as a “Cross of St. Patrick,” this arrangement honors the titular patron of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  

On the saltire is a silver (white) windmill, which is also seen in the seal of New York City to reflect the Dutch heritage of its founders and the city’s original name, “New Amsterdam.” Within the field created by the saltire are four small red crosses, representing the Gospels.  

 

Motto 

Archbishop Hick’s episcopal motto is “Paz Y Bien,” which is Spanish for “Peace and Good.” The phrase is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and serves as a reminder that God’s peace and goodness are fully present in the world.  

 

Right Half of the Shield 

The personal arms of Archbishop Ronald Hicks, chosen to reflect his life and ministry.  

The blue background with a silver (white) wavy bar across the center is indicative of water, symbolizing Lake Michigan, which honors Archbishop Hick’s hometown of South Holland, Illinois.  

Across the silver is a sprig of rosemary, depicted as it appears in nature, to honor the martyred archbishop of El Salvador, St. Óscar Romero, as the Spanish word for the herb rosemary is “romero.” St. Óscar also has this as a charge in his own coat of arms.  

Above the silver is a quill pen and sword, both gold, and crossed in a saltire. This references St. Paul — the sword being the instrument of his execution and martyrdom, and the pen as the instrument of his writings.  

The quill pen and sword are set below a red heart, outlined in white to stand out against the blue background. The heart honors Archbishop Hick’s service with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a home in El Salvador that cares for more than 3,400 orphaned and abandoned children in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. 

Below the silver (white) is a sprig of lilies that is taken from the arms of the University of St. Mary of Lake in Mundelein, where Archbishop Hicks attended the seminary, earned his doctorate in ministry, and served on the faculty.  

 

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