The colors on the shield represent the flag of the Basque Province of Spain.
The shield is horizontally divided into three parts. The upper section red, the center white, and the lower green. Since the Bishop’s family both maternal and paternal parents are from this area of Spain, it is important on his coat of arms to commemorate this beautiful section of their native country.
In the upper partition of the shield the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay which identify this Province are depicted.
In the upper left corner is a gold star which is the symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary to whom the Bishop has a special devotion.
In the center there is an open book which in heraldry designates learning. The Bishop has spent years in education; thus this book, tinctured in blue with is the heraldic color of Our Lady is indicative of the Bishop’s dedication to this field of culture.
In the lower section there is an inverted crescent gold and black checky from the coat of arms of St. Francis Xavier who is the baptismal patron of the Bishop.
The motto is, “I am all thine, my queen and my mother.”

His Excellency
The Most Reverend Francisco Garmendia, D.D.
Titular Bishop of Limuisa
Auxiliary Bishop of New York