The Arms of The Most Reverend Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D.,
Fourth Bishop of Greensburg  

MOTTO: Ignis Caritatis. “With the Fire of Love."

The Latin motto “Ignis Caritatis” is translated “With the Fire of Love.” In salvation history God manifested his presence and his power through fire. In the Old Testament he was present to Moses and the chosen people in the burning bush, which was never consumed. John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus, said the Messiah would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire!” At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire.

SIGNIFICANCE: The entire “achievement,” or Coat of Arms as it is generally called, is composed of the shield with its charges, the motto and the external ornaments.

As one looks at the shield, the terms dexter and sinister must be understood contrariwise as the shield was carried on the arm in medieval days, and these terms were used in their relationship of one behind the armor.

The sinister impalement, on the right of the viewer, displays the personal Arms of Bishop Brandt. By combining the personal Arms on the same shield with those of the Diocese of Greensburg, the spiritual unity of the bishop with his flock is signified, a thought also conveyed by the ring, which the bishop wears on his right hand.

The Arms of the Diocese of Greensburg were devised at the time of its establishment in 1951 by William F.J. Ryan (1903-81) of New York, N.Y., and West Chatham, Mass.

In 1987, at the time of the installation of the third bishop, the Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco, the Chi Rho was slightly modified by Professor Geza Grosschmid of Duquesne University, and Archbishop Bruno B. Heim, retired apostolic nuncio, both members of the Academie Internationale d’Heraldique.

The personal Arms of Bishop Brandt were devised by A.W.C. Phelps, Cleveland, Ohio, in consultation with the Most. Rev. Lawrence Eugene Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., Monday, 12 January, 2004/MMIV. The impalement of the Arms of the Diocese of Greensburg with the personal Arms of Bishop Brandt was undertaken by A.W.C. Phelps, January 2004.