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Read LetterCoat of Arms
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Coat of ArmsMost Reverend George Leo Thomas, Ph.D.
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In accordance with the Roman Catholic Church heraldic tradition, the Coat of Arms of an Archbishop is normally composed by:
- a shield with its charges (symbols) coming from family, geographic, religious and historical meanings and/or referred to the name of the Bishop;
- a golden processional cross, with two traversal bar, to represent the rank of the Archbishop, “impaled” (vertically) behind the shield;
- a green hat (galero) with 20 (ten on each side) attached tassels, ordained 1; 2; 3; 4 from the top;
- a scroll with the motto ("Christ our Light") written in black, below everything.
A samnitic shape shield has been chosen, which is frequently used in Roman Catholic Church heraldry and an archiepiscopal cross with red stones to represent the Five Wounds of Christ.
Blazonry (heraldic description) of the Coat of Arms
"Arms impaled. Dexter: Or, a Joshua tree Vert issuant from an Azure and an Argent wavy bars, a chief indented of the third. Sinister: Argent, upon a cross Azure, a Paschal candle Proper; between; to chief dexter a pick and shovel in saltair Vert and to chief sinister a Keltic “M” of the second; and in base two garbs of wheat Proper"
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Interpretation
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On the right side of the shield, the Coat of Arms of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Las Vegas is depicted, consisting of four main sections:
The first and main section is gold (Or), representing the arid desert region of the Southwestern United States, particularly Nevada, which forms most of the Diocese.
It is surrounded by a blue (Azure) indented chief symbolizing the mountains under the deep blue western sky.
The third portion features blue and silver (Azure and Argent) wavy bars, paying tribute to the significant role of the Colorado River in the region.
At the center of the design is a Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia), native to the area. The name “Joshua Tree” comes from its sword-shaped leaves, reminiscent of the biblical prophet Joshua pointing his spear at the city of Ai (Joshua 8:18).
For Archbishop Thomas’ personal arms, seen on the right side of the shield, Archbishop Thomas retains a design that reflects his life and heritage as a Priest and Bishop. It consists of a silver (Argent) field with a blue cross containing the central theme symbol—a paschal candle, which is also his episcopal motto; “CHRIST OUR LIGHT.” This symbolizes the light of the resurrected Christ carried by each Catholic from birth to death, guiding Archbishop Thomas as he ministers to God’s people.
Within the quarters of the shield created by the cross are: A green (Vert) crossed pick and shovel, honoring the Irish heritage of Archbishop Thomas’ mother, Mary Rita (Cronin) Thomas, whose family worked as miners in Ireland, Michigan, and Montana.
Two garbs of wheat represents the farming background of Archbishop Thomas’ father, George Leo Thomas, and honoring his baptismal patron, Thomas, meaning “twin.”
A Celtic “M” in blue, paying homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Perpetual Help, signifying her role in sustaining the life of every cleric in the Church.
The Coat of Arms received its new achievement by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB, a Benedictine monk from Conception Abbey in Missouri, renowned for his expertise in Heraldry and Art History.
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