Most Reverend Dominic M. Luong, D.D.

Blazon

The Coat of Arms of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Dominic M. Luong, D.D. Titular Bishop of Cebarades and Auxiliary Bishop of Orange

Argent, a cross Gules fimbriated Or; in chief dexter, upon a cross issuant of bamboo Proper the map of Viet Nam of the third beside a palm frond also Proper; in chief sinister the monogram of Mary Azure; in base dexter a bird Sable upon a Bronze Drum Proper and in base sinister upon three arrows an eagle displayed of the fifth above two crossed olive branches Vert.

Significance:
The episcopal heraldic achievement, or, as it is more commonly known, the bishop’s coat of arms, is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols) and the external ornaments. The shield, which is the central and most important feature of any heraldic device, is described (blazoned) in 12th century terms that are archaic to our modern language and this description is presented as if being given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies, the terms “dexter” (right) and “sinister” (left) are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.

For his personal arms, His Excellency, Bishop Luong has adopted a design that reflects his life and his Vietnamese heritage.

Upon a silver (white) field is displayed a red cross, of The Faith, that is outlined (fimbriated) in gold (yellow). Within the quarters of the shield that are created by the cross are found four charges (symbols) that reflect the Bishop’s heritage.

To the upper left (chief dexter) are the Proper (i.e. “as they appear in nature”) palm frond, bamboo cross and golden map of Viet Nam used here to honor 117 canonized martyrs of the 130,000 people that gave their lives for The Faith as it was being spread in Viet Nam. To the upper right (chief sinister) is the blue monogram of Mary (the conjoined cross and “M”) to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in her title of Our Lady of Lavang, patroness of the Church of Viet Nam.

To the lower left upon a red, silver and gold “bronze drum” is a bird to represent the tradition of the ancient culture by which the people of Viet Nam are sons and daughters of the perfectly harmonious marriage of Heaven and Earth . . . the Ting and Yang . . . the positive and the negative. In the lower right, above two green olive branched, standing on three arrows is a blue eagle displayed in his glory. This symbol of the United States is used to represent and honor the country that has welcomed over one and a half million Vietnamese people since 1975.

For his motto, His Excellency, Bishop Luong has adopted the phrase from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (Eph. 2:19), presented in both English and Vietnamese, “YOU ARE STRANGERS AND ALIENS NO LONGER.” By the use of this phrase, Bishop Luong expresses that for all who are called by Jesus Christ to the fullness of life within Him, that they are like the people of Viet Nam that were forced to leave their homeland and immigrate to the American shores, to find welcome, prosperity, friendship and peace in what is now their new land as all will find it one day in Heaven.

The device is completed with the external ornaments which are a gold processional cross, which is placed in back of the shield and which extends above and below the shield, and a pontifical hat, called a “gallero,” with its six tassels, in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop by instruction of the Holy See of March 31, 1969.

By: Deacon Paul J. Sullivan
N.B. - The author and designer respectfully requests appropriate acknowledgment for the public use of these efforts.