The Symbolic Interpretation of the
Coat of Arms of Michael Torregosa
The coat of arms of Michael Torregosa is a visual summary of his identity, heritage, and spiritual life. Rich in personal meaning and theological symbolism, each element reflects the story of a vocation rooted in faith, family, culture, and the Eucharistic heart of the Church.
The Two Roses
On the left side of the shield, two five-petaled roses honor the two dioceses that have nourished and guided Michael’s vocation:
The red rose represents the Diocese of Austin, the community in which his priestly calling was matured through study, service, and discernment.
The white rose signifies the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, his home and the place of his birth and baptism — the soil in which his Catholic faith first took root.
Both roses rest on a white field, emphasizing not only the unity of the Church across regions but also the spiritual foundation of Michael’s life — the grace of baptism, the call to purity, and the interior stillness where God forms the soul.
The Tower and Crown
On the right side of the shield, a silver tower surmounted by a crown accented in maroon and burnt orange honors Michael’s family, hometown, and ministry.
The tower evokes his paternal name, Torregosa, meaning “tower,” and symbolizes strength, fidelity, and the protective love passed on by his father.
The crown pays tribute to his maternal name, Reyes (“kings” in Spanish), and to Sugar Land, Texas, Michael’s hometown, whose city seal bears a crown.
Its maroon and burnt orange accents represent Michael’s academic and pastoral formation—maroon for his alma mater, Texas A&M University, where he was formed in faith and intellect, and burnt orange for his years of ministry at the University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served and witnessed Christ among university students.
Together, the tower and crown honor the familial, civic, and ministerial foundations upon which his vocation has been built.
The Monstrance on the Chief
At the top of the shield stands a golden monstrance holding the Eucharistic host, representing the centrality of the Blessed Sacrament in Michael’s spiritual life and priestly identity.
Its radiant form also echoes the sun in the flag of the Philippines, a tribute to his Filipino heritage and the enduring light of faith passed down through his family and culture.
Placed where the Lone Star of Texas might typically appear, the monstrance proclaims that there is one God, sovereign over all, truly present in the Eucharist — the source and summit of Michael’s life and ministry.
The Colors of the Fields
The red, white, and blue of the shield reflect the Texas state flag, grounding Michael’s identity in the land of his birth and formation.
The white field also reflects a color common to both Texas A&M and the University of Texas, symbolizing their shared contribution to his formation. More deeply, it signifies the spiritual aspect of his life — the interior life of grace, the radiance of purity, and the baptismal call to holiness.
The red suggests sacrificial love and the strength of familial bonds. The blue chief, which bears the monstrance, is the traditional color of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose unwavering trust in God’s will serves as the model of Christian discipleship and priestly obedience. Her intercession and example accompany him in his ministry, as they did the first apostles.
Motto: Dominus Meus et Meus Deus
The motto, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), is drawn from the confession of St. Thomas the Apostle upon encountering the Risen Christ.
In this slightly reordered Latin phrasing — Dominus Meus et Meus Deus — the emphasis rests on the personal: my Lord, and my God.
These are the words with which Michael begins his personal prayer, anchoring his life in humility, wonder, and surrender before the mystery of Christ truly present in the Eucharist. It is a declaration of intimacy, awe, and unwavering faith — a heart formed by grace, proclaiming the truth it has seen and believed.
