Coat of Arms

The bishop’s coat of arms is composed of a shield, with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll (bottom) and the external ornament of the bishop's mitre (above). The shield is the central and most significant feature of a heraldic design as it unites the arms of the bishop with the arms of his jurisdiction. In this case, these are the arms of the Diocese of Our Lady.

The coat of arms was designed by Bishop Sanchez's nephew, Nelson Zapata, a renowned designer of traditional heraldry based in Providence, Rhode Island.

The symbol of the keys represents the unity of the episcopacy of Bishop Sanchez with the Vicar of Christ in Rome, the See of St. Peter. The fleur is the traditional symbol representing the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The open scriptures reflect the holy Word of God -- the same Word which spoke the universe into existence and the same Word which is now seated at the right hand of the Father -- with the silhouette of the Cross which is the central figure that overshadows all of  human history. Bishop Sanchez has selected the motto Mane nobiscum domine ("Stay with us Lord" - Lk. 24:29). This was the invitation of the two disciples journeying to Emmaus on the evening of the day of the resurrection addressed to the unknown Wayfarer who accompanied them on their journey.