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Most Reverend Fernando Isern, D. D.
Bishop of Pueblo

MOST REVEREND FERNANDO ISERN
4th Bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo

Bishop Isern's Coat of Arms

EXPLANATION OF BISHOP FERNANDO ISERN'S COAT OF ARMS

Bishop Isern's Coat of Arms includes the Shield of the Diocese of Pueblo on the left and his personal arms on the right. The crenellated wall on the Diocesan Shield symbolizes old Fort Pueblo and the curving line below the wall represents the Arkansas River which divides the city. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents the Sacred Heart Cathedral and is flanked on each side by a rose. The rose to the immediate left represents Mary under the title of the "Mystical Rose." The rose to the immediate right represents St. Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower) Principal Patroness of the Diocese.

The right side of the Coat of Arms includes two red (Gules) fish, taken from the Crest of the Isern Family; they symbolize the miracle of the multiplication, in which Jesus is presented with the hungry multitude and only two fish and five loaves. He says to his disciples that they are to feed them. They realize that it is an impossible task and, with what little they have, they entrust it to the Lord. He takes, blesses and multiplies. Then He returns to the disciples entrusting them with the distribution and the care of the vast crowd.

The cross and the crescent moon epitomize God's love shed over humanity: the Father, whose heart is broken in seeing his Son dying on the Cross for love of us; the Son, giving himself as a oblation for Love of us; and Mary, symbolized by the crescent of the moon at the foot of the Cross, her heart symbolically pierced by a sword, for love of us.

Within the banner at the bottom of the Coat of Arms is the Motto chosen by Bishop Isern: "CARITAS, URGET NOS" (THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US ON).

Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya, D. D.
Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Pueblo