Joseph Gerard Hanefeldt

JOSEPH GERARD HANEFELDT

Born : April 25, 1958
Deceased :

Bishop of Grand Island, 2014-present

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The white and blue colors are traditionally associated with Our Lady. A red rose shown on the heraldic right refers to one of her titles, Mystical Rose. A lily, on the left, is a symbol of St. Joseph, often shown in sacred art holding the flower as a sign of his purity. St. Joseph is the bishop's baptismal patron saint, and the name of the Omaha parish where he first served as pastor. And the saint's feast day was the date of Bishop Hanefeldt's ordination and installation as bishop of Grand Island.

The stems of the rose and lily are united to a grapevine that runs the length of the shield, making the entire design a symbol of the Holy family, Mary and Joseph united to Jesus, who said at the Last Supper, "I am the the vine." The family theme recalls that Bishop Hanefeldt' s ordination occurred in 2015, a year that marked by the first World Meeting of Families to meet in the United States.

The motto "Remain in me," refers to Jesus' words at the Last Supper: "Remain in me, as I remain in you."

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