On June 19 St. Michaelʼs Abbey in Orange County, California, has elected Father John Caronan, O. Praem. (62) a native of the Philippines as its third abbot since its founding in 1961, succeeding Abbot Eugene Hayes, who led the community for 31 years. His abbatial blessing took place on September 28.

The arms he assumed which make references to his Filipino heritage (the sun, borrowed from the flag and coat of arms of the Philippines) and to his name (the lamb of God symbolizing St. John the Baptist) were executed by the Italian artist, Marco Foppoli. Abbot John employs the white galero often used by Norbertine Abbots as a reflection of the white habit they wear as Norbertine (Praemonstratensian ) Canons. Frequently, Cistercian Abbots, who also wear a white habit, do this too.

I have stated publicly more than once that I’m not a fan of this custom. The galero does not necessarily reflect what a prelate wears. The colors assigned to the galeri indicate a rank, not a habit. For example, bishops wear purple but the galero in their coats of arms is green. Nevertheless, the use of the white galero by Norbertine and Cistercian Abbots is an ancient one that developed over a long period of time. So, I have to respect that. I will state, however, that any Abbot would be free to make use of a galero and tassels that is black…the color normally assigned to the galero of an Abbot…ANY Abbot. Norbertine and Cistercian Abbots aren’t required to use the white galero. It is their choice to do so.

Another version of the coat of arms was also commissioned by Anatole Upart. (below)

In the interests of FULL DISCLOSURE I should say that I was originally commissioned by Abbot John to design and execute his coat of arms. However, owing to a mix up in which several other members of the Community of Canons wanted to surprise the Abbot, they took it upon themselves to contact another artist–I’m not sure which–and the Abbot felt himself to be in an awkward position. Not exactly the greatest way to begin an tenure as Abbot…or for his confreres to treat him, by putting him in such a position. Abbot John asked if I wouldn’t mind standing down since the other Canons had proceeded without his knowledge and were farther along in their discussions. As I had not begun in earnest but had only just accepted the commission and had only an early conversation about the design in the most general terms, I relinquished the commission to turn my attention to several of the other commissions I was working on at the time. That’s how I cam to know so much about what Abbot John wished to symbolize in his coat of arms…because he told me so himself.