Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Pilgrims attending St. James Cathedral this Jubilee Year of Hope may notice the Jubilee Cross on display. This cross, initially commissioned for the First Synod of the Diocese of Orlando in 2004, now serves as a Jubilee Cross following Pope Francis's designation that each pilgrimage site should have one.

The Synod, with the theme “Starting Afresh from Christ,” began in October 2004 and concluded a year later at the Orange County Convention Center. Throughout the synod, the cross traveled to various parishes in the diocese.

Anthony Bellomo of the Black Forest Company in Mount Clemens, Michigan, crafted both the cross and matching candleholders. The designs incorporate symbolic details such as potential orange blossoms or tongues of flames, representing the Holy Spirit and diocesan arms.

Notable features include orange blossoms at the front and “roots” at Jesus's feet, embodying the Tree of Life. The circle at the center symbolizes the crown of thorns and the crucified body of Jesus.

On the reverse, symbols reflect the Diocese's history and features its coat of arms with red and white fields. The red part shows Greek letters for Christ, while the left side features a shell for St. James Cathedral, and the right has an orange blossom representing the county.

The white portion carries a “fleur de lis” for the Blessed Mother of God, crowning the shield with a golden mitre, signifying the bishop's role. The bottom hosts the 2004 synod logo and motto, and the surrounding arms of four former bishops of Orlando.

Bishop Thomas Wenski's coat of arms appears at the top center, Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey at the bottom center, Bishop Thomas Grady on the right, and Bishop William Borders on the left. Their mottos reflect their values and leadership styles.

Although Bishop John Noonan was not part of Orlando during the synod, his motto “God before me and God with me” still resonates with the Diocese’s ongoing journey and community.

Father Bob Webster contributed to this article.