Bishop Szkredka’s Coat of Arms

This is the framework for his heraldic achievement design.

Bishop Stawomir Szkredka was born in Poland in the Diocese of Katowice and was ordained a priest of Los Angeles on January 12, 2002. He has now served in his vocation here for twenty-one years. 

Bishop Szkredka has written: “I wish to honor the fact that God speaks to us through His Son, the Word Incarnate”,  and has a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin and Sacred Scripture. This the framework for his heraldic achievement design.

Each ordained bishop to the archdiocese of Los Angeles has the unique shield representing the historic honor of being in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in the Archdiocese and city dedicated to the same title.

The charge (aka the emblem) for each bishop is a combination of the Fleur de Lys for the Blessed Mother and a pair of angel’s wings on a blue chief, because blue is the color reserved for Our Lady, Bishop Szkredka’s  design has the same blue field with the Fleur de Lys in silver (which is rendered in white because real silver tarnishes) and the wings in gold.

The shield division here is known as “tierced in fess.” There are two horizontal spaces, silver and gold. Silver and gold are the Heavenly Attributes. Silver represents God’s purity, His humility and His goodness. Bishop Szkredka’s desire to honor the truth that God speaks to us through the Word Incarnate is found in symbolism here.

Wisdom in Catholic heraldry is traditionally represented with a lamp symbol. The lamp light burns brilliantly illuminating every space just as the Word Incarnate illuminates every heart open to it. Because of Bishop Szkredka’s profound love for Sacred Scripture, the lamp design chosen comes from those used throughout the Holy Land, at the time that Jesus walked the Earth. The use of an ancient symbol from Biblical times also pays homage to his time as professor of Sacred Scripture and his love for biblical studies.

The base of the shield is rendered in red because Bishop Szkredka desired to include the theme of the Eucharist. Red represents the blood of Christ as well as God’s abiding love. The IHS monogram pictured has two meanings. First, it is a representation of the first three Greek letters of the name Jesus. Secondly, it is the initials of the words: “In hoc signo” which translates to “in this sign you will conquer.” These words are attributed to Emperor Constantine, who saw them prophetically in a dream on his war banner. He soon after took them as his Christian motto when he converted to the Faith. The Host depiction is rendered in a traditional style found most commonly in Catholic Poland, to bring further homage to Bishop Szkredka’s family origins.

The bishop’s original and current heritage is honored by the overall colors employed in his heraldic achievement. Red, white and blue for his adopted homeland and white over red for his Polish heritage.

The bishop’s Coat of Arms has the same external elements specific to ecclesial heraldry, such as the galero hat, the twelve tassels, and the episcopal cross. Bishop Szkredka’s cross is rendered in gold with an Amber gemstone at the center, the national stone of Poland.