- The Governor General of Canada
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Dennis Paul Drainville
Barachois, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Aurora Patterson-Drainville
April 20, 2017
Vol. VI, p. 718
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Blazon
Arms
Or a donkey passant supporting on its shoulder a staff proper flying therefrom a streamer Azure charged with a fleur-de-lis Or, on a chief embattled Azure a northern gannet tergiant diving Argent between six rays Or;
Motto
JUSTICE • MERCY • HUMILITY;
Symbolism
Arms
The donkey refers to Aldo, who lived in the garden of the bishop’s residence in Québec, which in turn is represented by the fleur-de-lis on the streamer. The donkey represents hard work and humility, and is associated with Christ’s nativity and his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The cross of dark fur on the back of donkeys can also serve as an allusion to Christ. The crenellated line alludes to the fortifications of the city of Quebec. The gannet is a bird found in great abundance in the Gaspé region of Quebec, where Bishop Drainville lived for many years. In this descending position it alludes to depictions of the Holy Spirit in art, where it is shown as a dove. The rays allude to light and thus the name of Bishop Drainville’s daughter, Aurora, which means “dawn”.
Motto
This phrase is taken from Micah 6:8: “And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”.