|
 he
place of abbess as leader and shepherd of her community is designated
by certain sacramental signs and traditional insignia: a ring,
pectoral cross, crosier, candle, oath of fidelity and coat of
arms. For Mother Abbess David it was extremely important that
these insignia come from the heart of the whole community and
be expressed in the most meaningful, personal way possible. To
accomplish this, the abbey artists and craftsmen, collaborating
with many gifted lay professionals, sought to create these abbatial
elements by going deeply into the significance of Mother Abbess’
particular genealogy and personal history. Wherever possible they
drew on materials from the land of Regina Laudis or significant
gift contributions, allowing as many people as possible to be
incorporated in these signs of blessing. A description of Mother
Abbess David’s Coat of Arms follows.
|
et
on the oval shield traditionally reserved for a virgin's coat of
arms are various symbols expressive both of continuity with the
patrimony of Regina Laudis and of the newness embodied in Mother
Abbess' personal genealogy. Born of a Peruvian father of mixed Indian
and Spanish blood and an English mother, Mother Abbess witnesses
in her being to the translation of traditional European monastic
values to an authentic American expression. Here you see,
