Episcopal Mottos

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Tis_Bearself

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I knew that Popes had mottos, like Pope JPII had “Totus Tuus”, but I didn’t realize bishops could have them too. However, I am just reading about a bishop who had an episcopal motto.

When do bishops get to choose their episcopal mottoes?
Do they keep the same motto if they go up the ladder?

What are your favorite episcopal mottoes?

If you had to choose an episcopal motto, what would you choose? I can’t answer this question as I would really have to think about it. So many good ones it’s hard to choose.
 
See, this is why it’s good I could never become a bishop— because I’d be sitting around all day trying to think up a totally awesome Latin motto.
 
All of my favorite holy quotes are either too long or a little too panicky to be a good motto.
I don’t think a bishop would want to go around with a motto like “Help me Jesus” . Even though he’s no doubt saying it under his breath all day just like I do.

I’d need to have something cool appear to me in a dream, like In Hoc Signo Vinces.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
If you had to choose an episcopal motto, what would you choose?
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Adapted from the Summa:
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Solus Deus implere potest.
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God alone satisfies.
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For context, here’s St. Thomas Aquinas’ response to whether human happiness can ever be satisfied by any created good and why God in fact ultimately and sufficiently satisfies it (First Part of the Second Part, Question 2, Article 8):
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I-II q. 2 a. 8 Respondeo dicendum quod impossibile est beatitudinem hominis esse in aliquo bono creato. Beatitudo enim est bonum perfectum, quod totaliter quietat appetitum, alioquin non esset ultimus finis, si adhuc restaret aliquid appetendum. Obiectum autem voluntatis, quae est appetitus humanus, est universale bonum; sicut obiectum intellectus est universale verum. Ex quo patet quod nihil potest quietare voluntatem hominis, nisi bonum universale. Quod non invenitur in aliquo creato, sed solum in Deo, quia omnis creatura habet bonitatem participatam. Unde solus Deus voluntatem hominis implere potest; secundum quod dicitur in Psalmo CII:V, qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum. In solo igitur Deo beatitudo hominis consistit.
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I answer that, It is impossible for any created good to constitute man’s happiness. For happiness is the perfect good, which lulls the appetite altogether; else it would not be the last end, if something yet remained to be desired. Now the object of the will, i.e. of man’s appetite, is the universal good; just as the object of the intellect is the universal true. Hence it is evident that naught can lull man’s will, save the universal good. This is to be found, not in any creature, but in God alone; because every creature has goodness by participation. Wherefore God alone can satisfy the will of man, according to the words of Psalm 102:5: “Who satisfieth thy desire with good things.” Therefore God alone constitutes man’s happiness.
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Cardinal Newman’s canonization announcement reminded me of his motto,
Cor ad cor loquitor (Heart speaks to heart)

That’s a good one.
 
The motto is generally what appears on the coat of arms of a prelate (or even those of us clergy not prelates; Bishops and above are not the only ones who have coats of arms. I’ve designed for several of my brother priests, and not a few parishes as well). Figuring out the motto is always one of my favorite parts of the process, as you sometimes get some very touching choices. A priest friend of mine who was a lawyer before his ordination put Pax multa diligentibus legem on his: “Great is the peace of those who love your law.”

-Fr ACEGC
 
Do you have a motto, Father?

(I’m afraid my personal mottos to date have been the type that are not exactly going to work well in Latin or inspire anyone spiritually… )
 
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If had a motto it would be: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease (don’t know it in Latin)

My Bishop’s motto is:
Holy Is God’s Name
 
They all pick a motto when they are named Bishop. They usually have their coat of arms designed with motto, etc before they are ordained.

Bishop Barron talked about this and recorded a video answer people’s questions about this when he was ordained a Bishop.

They keep the motto throughout their Bishopric. However, I don’t know if Popes sometimes change theirs when they become Pope or keep the same motto.
 
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Do most priests have their own motto? And if so, do most bishops keep the motto they had as a priest?
 
phil19034 said:
Do most priests have their own motto? And if so, do most bishops keep the motto they had as a priest?
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Priests I know don’t have a motto as such but it’s common to choose a favourite scripture passage to include on their ordination prayer cards.
 
I have a priest friend who just designed his coat of arms and chose the motto He must increase, I must decrease.
 
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