The Coat of Arms of His Excellency, Most Reverend Michael John Sheridan, STD,
Titular Bishop of Thibiuca, Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs
(by Deacon Paul J. Sullivan, author/designer, Permanent Deacon, Diocese of Providence)

Blazon: Per pale Vert and Or, a cross fleuretty above two lion rampant combatant all counterchanged; overall at the nombril point, a sword, blade to base, Argent.

Significance: The Episcopal heraldic achievement, or the bishop’s coat of arms, is composed of a shield, with its charges (symbols), a motto scroll and the external ornaments. The shield, 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 done as if being given by the bearer with the shield being worn on the arm. Thus, it must be remembered that the terms dexter and sinister are reversed as the device is viewed from the front.

For his personal arms: Bishop Sheridan has selected a design that reflects his life as a priest and now a bishop.

The Bishop’s design is based on the “family” arms of his parents John and Bernice Moore Sheridan. This conjunction is curious because the “family” arms of the Moore’s is dominated by a gold lion rampant on a green field and Sheridan “family” design is dominated by a green lion rampant on a gold field. So, for Bishop Sheridan we have combined the two and then placed a silver sword, the symbol of St. Michael, the warrior, and the Bishop’s baptismal patron between the two lions. These are all placed under a cross fleuretty, a cross with arms that end in flur-de-lis, which is taken from the arms of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, who uses this symbol to honor St. Louis, King of France, and titular of the See City. All of the symbols, except the sword, are “Counter changed” in color that is alternated across a center line.

For his motto: His Excellency, Bishop Sheridan, has selected the Latin phrase “VIRTUS IN INFIRMITATE PERFICITUR.” This phrase, which is taken from St. Paul’s second Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:9), is translated to express the deep of Christian belief that “in weakness there is strength.” For it is in believing this that we are assured that the power of God is made perfect in weakness.

The device is completed with the external ornaments, a gold processional cross, that is placed in back of the shield and which extends above and below the shield, and with the 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.