Chapter 11

Suppression Notice

Archives

Ordination of Aux. Bishop Bejarano

A clergymember wearing a mask and robes places hands on another kneeling clergymember's head in a decorative church setting with marble columns and statues, while others stand nearby observing.

Bishop Robert McElroy delivered this homily at the ordination of Bishop Ramón Bejarano as Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego on July 14, 2020, at the Church of The Immaculata.

Las Parroquias Reabren

La Diócesis de San Diego reanudará las Misas públicas el 14 de junio en las parroquias del Condado de San Diego. Algunas parroquias comenzaron sus Misas diarias el 8 de junio. Las parroquias en el Valle Imperial no re-anudarán las Misas públicas hasta que las condiciones sanitarias lo permitan. Las parroquias implementarán una variedad de […]

Mass with African American Community

Several people stand in a row indoors, with one person in the foreground wearing a white sweater, clapping hands. The background is softly focused, highlighting a sense of attention and engagement.

San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy delivered the following Homily during a special Mass with the Catholic African American Community at the Church of The Immaculata on June 7, 2020.

Mass with the Catholic African American Community

Finding Grace Within Our Republic Of Suffering Encontrando la Gracia Durante la Era del Sufrimiento San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy delivered the following Homily during a special Mass with the Catholic African American Community at the Church of The Immaculata on June 6, 2020. Mass Video Stream Today’s Feast of the Holy Trinity provides […]

Finding Grace During the Age of Suffering

(SAN DIEGO, June 4, 2020) – San Diego Catholic Bishop Robert McElroy issued the following statement June 1 in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and protests that have erupted across the country, including in this county: “A deep and paralyzing sadness envelops this nation we love so much. The danger and burden […]

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms combines the Diocese of San Diego’s coat of arms on the left side, and his on the right. On his, a red boat on a blue ocean sits on diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic communities.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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