Bishop Gaydos’s Coat of Arms, episcopal motto

By tradition, the coat of arms of the bishop is joined to that of the diocese and have their roots in medieval heraldry.

As viewed from the front, the left side of the coat of arms presents the former symbols of the Diocese of Jefferson City. The principal symbol, the red Phrygian Cap on the staff, honors President Thomas Jefferson for whom the See City is named.

The Phrygian (from the Greek word for “freeman”) Cap was placed on the heads of Greek and Roman freed slaves. During the French Revolution it became known as the mark of a patriot.

Thomas Jefferson and other writers of the Declaration of Independence prepared a Seal for the United States of North America which included the Phrygian cap and staff.

Although that design was not adopted, it shows the significance that Jefferson placed on these symbols.

Above the cap and staff are two blue crescents and a blue cross of the Faith.

One of the crescents honors the state of Missouri and the other is for the Blessed Virgin Mary in her title of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Catholic Church in the United States.

The right side, as viewed from the front, represents Bishop Gaydos. The motto he chose, “With A Shepherd’s Care,” is taken from 1 Peter 5:2-3.

The shepherd’s staff honors his heritage; “Gaydos” is a Slavic word for shepherd.

The eagle is the symbol for St. John the Evangelist, Bishop Gaydos’s baptismal patron.

On the eagle’s chest is a red rose, called the “Orsini Rose,” which represents the North American College in Rome where Bishop Gaydos studied.

The Rose also represents the Blessed Virgin Mary and has come to indicate a reverence for all human life.