Andrzej Jerzy Zglejszewski

ANDRZEJ JERZY ZGLEJSZEWSKI

Born : December 18, 1961
Deceased :

Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, 2014-present

Official blazon

Per fess argent and gules, a saltire between three crosses couped and in base a fleur-de-lis all counterchanged, a bordure per fess azure and Or.

Origin/meaning

The colours white over red recall the national flag and coat of arms of Poland, where the Bishop was born. The blue found in the top half of the border joins these first two tinctures to recall the national colors of the United States of America, to which he immigrated in 1987. The gold of the lower half joins the white to recall the colors of the Holy See. Blue and gold, together recalling the sea and sand of the island diocese, are the primary tinctures of the coat of arms of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, where he was ordained a priest in 1990.

The color blue has long been associated with Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary; its use at the top of the shield recalls that she is Queen of Heaven and Help of Christians, who spreads her protective mantle over her children. Our Lady is also symbolized by the fleur-de-lis at the bottom of the shield. This stylized lily has been used for many centuries to recall her virginal purity. Placed on the shield together with three Crosses, it alludes also to Mary, th€ faithful disciple, standing at the foot of the Cross of her Son on Calvary.

The saltire refers to Saint Andrew as the Bishop's baptismal patron. The white bottom half of the saltire becomes a depiction of the carpenter's square, a traditional symbol of Saint Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The carpenter's square appears to cover and protect the fleur-de lis, symbolizing Saint Joseph's protection both of Our Lady and of the Universal Church. The top half of the saltire reminds one of the Holy Spirit, and the grace that he brings by his descent upon the newborn Church at Pentecost. The Bishop has dedicated much of his ministry to the study and service of Divine Worship, and this part of the saltire also recalls the grace of the Sacraments which is given to the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

The two crosses on either side of the saltire are also counterchanged, and symbolize not only the crosses on Calvary but also the passion and martyrdom of Saint Agnes, the patron of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. T

The motto Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum is taken from Our Lady's words to the Angel Gabriel, " May it be done to me according to your word." The occasion for this humble submission to the Will of God was the Annunciation, the feast day on which Bishop Zglejszewski was ordained a Bishop.

The achievement is completed with the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by instruction of the Holy See, of March 1969, confirmed in March 2001.

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