- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Mark Lowell Sargent
London, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
February 15, 2006
Vol. V, p. 12
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent semé of crosses potent, on a pile Gules a lion rampant guardant winged nimbed its hindquarters equine holding in the dexter paw a carpenter’s square Argent;
Motto
OUR DEFENCE IS SURE;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A lion’s face nimbed Argent jessant of a cross potent Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
Red and white are the national colours of Canada, and deep red or maroon is a colour associated with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, one of the regiments in which Father Sargent served. The crosses indicate his vocation as a priest, and are similar in form to Jerusalem crosses, marking the fact that he has made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The nimbed lion’s head is taken from the emblem of St. Mark the Evangelist, and is thus a reference to Fr. Sargent’s forename. The horse legs allude to Pegasus, a familiar symbol associated with airborne forces. The carpenter’s square is the attribute of St. Thomas the Apostle, and thus refer to Fr. Sargent’s birthplace, St. Thomas, Ontario.
Motto
This is taken from the hymn “O God our help in ages past”, also known as the Army Hymn, a reference both to Fr. Sargent’s vocation and to his military service.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on July 8, 2006, in Volume 140, page 2040 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Gordon Macpherson
Calligrapher
Nancy Ellis
Recipient Information
Individual