William Albert Wack

WILLIAM ALBERT WACK

Born: June 28, 1967
Deceased:

Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 2017-Present

Official blazon
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

As common in US episcopal heraldry, the arms show the arms of the diocese impaled with the personal arms of the bishop.

The cross and anchors are the insignia for the Congregation of Holy Cross, of which Bishop Bill has been a member for the last 28 years. The anchor is an ancient Christian symbol depicting hope, as we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter Six, Verse 19: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul …” The anchor is impaled on the cross of Christ. Thus, the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross: “Our hope is in the cross.”

The rose is for St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a great saint who aspired to be a “Little Flower” in God’s garden. Her “Little Way” has inspired millions of people over the last century, including Bishop Bill.

The open door on the right symbolizes Andre House, a place of hospitality for the poor and homeless in Phoenix where Bishop Bill served for seven years; it also represents the life and compassion of St. Andre Bessette, a Holy Cross brother who was known as “God’s Doorkeeper.” The open door also represents Christ’s invitation: “Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt 7:7) The design of the door is classic “American Christian,” depicting the cross on top and the Bible below.

The wavy line running down the middle of the shield represents the St. Joseph River, which bends to the south in Indiana and cuts through South Bend - Bishop Bill’s hometown. The color blue on the right side represents the Living Water promised by Jesus to those who ask for it. (Jn 4:10) Blue is also the traditional color of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly mother who leads us to her Son. The gold color on the left side complements the shield. In addition, the colors blue and gold are the colors of the University of Notre Dame, from which Bishop Bill graduated and where he completed formation to become a Holy Cross priest.

The motto comes directly from the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross. It is the simple, yet profound, invitation from Our Lord to leave ourselves behind and become his disciples. It is also a bold statement from Bishop Bill to follow him as he follows Christ in the manner laid out by St. Paul, who wrote: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Rather than have the motto in all uppercase letters, it contains a combination of upper and lowercase letters to convey a gentle invitation, instead of a command.

The achievement is completed with the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop.

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