- The Governor General of Canada
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Parish of Saint Patrick
Montréal, Quebec
Grant of Arms
December 4, 1996
Vol. III, p. 137
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Blazon
Arms
Or a Celtic cross with equal limbs throughout Vert embellished Or charged in the centre with a cross couped Gules in the first quarter a representation of the steeple of the Basilica of Saint Patrick between its two pinnacles all Vert embellished Or on a chief Azure a harp between dexter two keys in saltire wards upwards and outwards and sinister a maple leaf all Or the latter charged with a fleur-de-lys Azure;
Symbolism
Arms
The central element in the lower part of the shield is the Celtic cross. The green cross stands for Ireland. A specific Montreal reference is provided via the narrow red cross set in the centre of the larger cross. This alludes to the cross on the unofficial arms and flag of the city. The regal gold background recalls Christ the King who resides in the House of the Lord. The Basilica itself is referred to in the upper left hand quadrant of the shield through the representation of the central tower and flanking towers from the south facade. Across the top, on the blue chief, is a harp underscoring that the parish was founded to serve Irish Catholics. The crossed keys, which are the Papal insignia, signify that the parish church was made a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II. The maple leaf charged with a fleur-de-lis further represents the location of the parish within Canada and Quebec.