Walter Arthur Coggin: Difference between revisions

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WALTER ARTHUR COGGIN

Born : February 10, 1916
Deceased : ?

Abbot of Belmont Abbey, 1959–1970

Official blazon

Impaled. Dexter: Azure, a lion couchant or, upon a champagne argent, i.n chief ten stars of six points, five and five of the last (Abbey of Belmont) ; Sinister: Gules, a Cedar of Lebanon or, between three laurel leaves erect argent, on a chief azure, a mountain of three coupeaux in base, thereon a patriarchal cross, the arms patée of the second, over-all the word PAX in fess sable (Coggin).
Motto: Nihil amori Christi praeponere

Origin/meaning

In the first impalement are the arms of the Belmont Abbey. The second impalement displays the personal arms of Abbot Coggin. The three laurel leaves are derived from the arms of one of the English Coggin families. Five branches of this family display a red field, but all display leaves on their coats of arms. The abbot's mother, born in Jezzine, Lebanon, is honored by a Cedar of Lebanon between the three leaves. Such a cedar is the principal charge on the Lebanese arms. To express his membership in the Benedictine Order, the abbot has placed the arms of the Order of St. Benedict on a chief above his personal arms.

The motto: Nihil amori Christi praeponera, translated: "To prefer nothing above the love of Christ," is taken from the twenty-first instrument of good work in chapter four of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.