Welcoming Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of St Augustine

On July 22, 2022, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier was ordained and installed as the 11th Bishop of St Augustine. Saint John Vianney College Seminary warmly welcomes Bishop Pohlmeier to Florida. Bishop Pohlmeier kindly wrote a brief reflection on his Coat of Arms for The Disciple, his reflection can be read below:
 
"When the surprise call came from Archbishop Christophe Pierre to name me as the new Bishop of St. Augustine, my initial shock had to give way to immediate decisions. There were many practical decisions so the transition could begin. Some of those decisions were logistical and some carried much more weight. Decisions about an episcopal motto and coat of arms would set a tone for my service as a bishop and remain with me for the rest of my years.
 
After the public announcement, I was able to start talking to people with expertise and float various ideas. I considered elements from my personal history as well as images reflecting my pastoral ministry. While there were several sketches that included beautiful symbols. I was cautioned against including too much, and reminded that what looks good on a computer screen might not translate so well to something as small as letterhead or an envelope. 
 
In the end, I chose to focus on two aspects of my vocation story, that also point ahead to what I want to emphasize as a bishop. My life of faith and ministry as a priest developed in the Diocese of Little Rock, whose patron saint is St. Andrew. The symbol of this saint is well known as an “X.” Tradition indicates that St. Andrew was martyred on a cross of that shape and it remains the most frequently used symbol in art to distinguish him from other bearded apostles. The prominent X in my coat of arms is meant to show appreciation for all the graces I received in life and service in Arkansas. It was also a convenient way to acknowledge the grace of God from my Confirmation since St. Andrew was the saint I chose as a patron.
 
Looking ahead I wanted the St. Andrew cross as a reminder of my emphasis on evangelization. I intend this to be a recurring focus of my episcopacy, with a desire to model the type of evangelization we learn from St. Andrew. Too often we try to reach people with programs when Jesus asks us to witness to faith one-on-one. St. Andrew experienced the powerful conversion of coming to know the Lord and immediately went to invite his brother, telling Peter, “We have found the Christ.” 
 
The second prominent symbol is the crescent moon. This symbol represents Mary, described as “the moon under her feet.” The crescent moon can be seen in such images as Our Lady of Guadalupe and paintings of the Immaculate Conception. My initial call to priesthood came from my devotion to Mary and learning of her apparitions in various countries. This is captured in the repeating crescent to symbolize the four corners of the world where Mary has always been the greatest evangelist. 
 
I am grateful for this tradition as part of a bishop’s legacy. I pray the connection to St. Andrew and our Blessed Mother will help bear fruit in my ministry.” 
 
-Bishop Erik Pohlmeier