The Diocesan Crest

Blazon: Arms Impaled

Dexter: Gules, a cross throughout Argent between four bells of the last; overall, at the center point, a crescent checky Sable and Or.
Sinister: Argent, a fess of crosses “De Colores,” between in chief per saltair a quill Proper upon a broadsword Tenné, and in base three barlets wavy Azure.

Significance:

The episcopal heraldic achievement or bishop's coat of arms is composed of a shield with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornamentation. 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 given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, where it applies the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.

These arms are composed of a red field on which are placed a silver (white) cross between four silver (white) bells. The red background is used to signify the Red River that runs through the See City. The cross, of The Faith, divides the four bells that are taken from the arms of the Patriarchal See of Alexandria, in Egypt, for which the See City is named. Overall, at the center of the design is a black and gold (yellow) checky crescent, which is taken from the arms of the Spanish family “Xavier,” and this symbol is used throughout ecclesiastical heraldry as the classic charge for Saint Francis Xavier, titular of the cathedral-church in Alexandria.

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A note from Bishop Herzog

Dear Friends in Christ,

In 1682, more than 328 years ago, the Catholic faith was first brought to the Indians along the Mississippi River near the area now known as Newellton. Like a seed, the Catholic faith took root and spread throughout the territory until the Diocese of Louisiana was established in 1795, and later the Diocese of Natchitoches in 1853.

The Diocese of Natchitoches covered all of North and Central Louisiana for 57 years. On August 6, 1910, at the request of Bishop Cornelius Van de Ven, Pope Pius X erected the See of Alexandria and transferred the See City from Natchitoches to Alexandria.

For the past 100 years, the Diocese of Alexandria has been blessed with a rich and well-preserved history, yet so much of our history remains deeply rooted in its beginnings as the Diocese of Natchitoches. The story of the diocese is a rich journey of the struggles and triumphs of the bishops, priests, religious and laity who are responsible for bringing the faith to the people of this area. Their courage and strength is an inspiring lesson for us always.

Today, the diocese is a faithful group of fifty parishes, twenty-two missions, eight Catholic schools and numerous lay ministries and Catholic organizations. The Diocese of Alexandria is truly blessed in so many ways and we look forward to the next century with great faith and hope.

Sincerely,

One in the Lord

The Most Reverend Ronald P. Herzog
Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria

A Brief History

On July 29, 1853, Pope Pius IX created a diocese in the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, Le Post de Natchitoches. It had only five priests and five churches to serve the 20,000 Catholics who were spread throughout the entire northern half of Louisiana.

For 22 years, Bishop Auguste Marie Martin zealously recruited priests and religious from Europe for his diocese.  He established a seminary to train native clergy, started “priests schools,” and established numerous missions.

Francis Xavier Leray, after only two years as the second Bishop of Natchitoches, was named coadjutor to the Archbishop of New Orleans and attempted vigorously to fill both positions. A Frenchman by birth, he realized that most of his flock were native English-speaking people, so he ordered his priests and religious to pray, teach, and communicate in English.

The most notable contribution of the third Bishop, Antoine Durier, was in the field of Catholic education.  His first pastoral letter ordered “the establishment of a Catholic school near every church” and organized a Catholic School Board in 1889.

Cornelius Van de Ven,  had the distinction of being both the last Bishop of Natchitoches and the first Bishop of Alexandria. In 1910, the See City was transferred to Alexandria and St. Francis Xavier Church was designated its Cathedral. Van de Ven established north Louisiana’s first Catholic hospital (Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport), promoted lay organizations, and defended human rights.

The fifth Bishop and first American-born was Daniel Desmond, whose 12 years in office were marked by rapid growth in the diocese. With the help of other groups, he established 10 new schools, 22 parishes and 25 new churches.

During the next 27 years, Bishop Charles Pascal Greco led his generous and growing flock in a phenomenal building program that included the establishment of 33 new parishes and the construction of more than 125 churches and chapels, 100 convents and rectories, 50 schools, and 7 health care facilities. He also built St. Mary’s Residential Training School and Maryhill.

Bishop Lawrence P. Graves was influential in establishing or improving continuing education for priests; offices for religious education and youth ministry; Maryhill; the ministries of development and permanent diaconate; communication apostolate in newspaper, radio and tv; and the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal.

Bishop William B. Friend became the eighth bishop, but on July 29, 1986, he became the head of the new Diocese of Shreveport, and John C. Favalora was consecrated the ninth Bishop of the diocese.  Six years later, Favalora became Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs became a national icon for the Charismatic Movement in the 90s.  He combined his love for the youth with the movement and created Steubenville South Youth Conference, one of the largest Catholic youth conferences in the U.S.  In 2003, he became the Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodeaux.

The 11th  and current Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria is Ronald P. Herzog, who was ordained on Jan. 5, 2005. Bishop Herzog is the shepherd and leader of more than 44,000 Catholics scattered through 50 parishes and 22 missions.

An excerpt from the book "A Century of Faith, Hope and Love: The History of the Diocese of Alexandria" which can be purchased at the Diocesan offices.

History of Diocese Excerpt