Bernhard Gerhard Hilhorst
BERNHARD GERHARD HILHORST
Born: December 31, 1895
Deceased: August 11, 1954
Apostolic Vicar of Bagamoyo, 1934-1953; Titular Bishop of Metellopolis
Bishop of Morogoro, 1953
Titular Bishop of Arsamosata, 1953-1954
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Origin/meaning
The first quarter shows the arms of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit to which the bishop belonged. The cross symbolises the white and black people united in Christianity (colours and cross). The second quarter refers to the Miracle of Amsterdam. According to tradition, on 15 March 1345, a man lay seriously ill in his house on the Kalverstraat. Thinking he was about to die he called for a priest to administer the last rites, including the Blessed Sacrament. After receiving the host, the man became sick and finally vomited. As was the custom, what he had brought up was thrown on the fire, including the host. The next morning the host was discovered undamaged in the ashes. It was put into a box and taken by a priest to the parish church (the present-day Oude Kerk), but on two occasions miraculously made its way back to the house on the Kalverstraat. The host and fire are thus chosen as symbols here. The Bishop was born in Amsterdam.
The third quarter represents the Vicariate of Bagamoyo, which was first placed under French (canonal) jurisdiction (fleur-de-lys), then under Irish (harp) and finally under Dutch jurisdiction (orange tulips).
The fourth quarter shows the church of the bishop on a hill, which sounds as the first part of his last name.
Literature: Information from the bishop
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