- The Governor General of Canada
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Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada
London, Ontario
Registration of Arms
May 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 378
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Blazon
Arms
Per pale Gules and Or a lily slipped, in chief two crosses couped and rayonnant, all within a bordure counterchanged charged with two roses in pale Argent barbed and seeded proper;
Motto
CONGREGAVIT NOS IN UNUM CHRISTI AMOR;
Symbolism
Arms
The lily has long been used as a symbol for St. Joseph. The yellow cross represents Christian education and the red cross represents the apostolate of the sick, the two principal mandates of the Federation. The flames surrounding the crosses allude to the Holy Spirit. Red represents Canada, while yellow is a colour associated with the Papacy. The Toronto congregation of the Federation is distinguished by the white rose, the symbol of York, which was the previous name of Toronto. The fact that the Toronto congregation has two rather than three symbols on the border is an indication of its status as the senior congregation in Canada.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “The love of Christ has gathered us.” It is the second line of the ancient hymn “Ubi Caritas,” attributed to St. Paulinus of Aquileia c. 796.