- 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.
The Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
November 20, 2009
Vol. V, p. 482
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent a sword Sable between two halves of a cloak the cords tasselled, on a chief Gules three maple leaves Or;
Motto
PRAESIDEMUS;
Badge
Within a bordure Or a torteau charged with a sword between two halves of a cloak the cords tasselled, overall in base three maple leaves Or;
Symbolism
Arms
Red and white are the colours of Canada. The sword and cloak symbolizes St. Martin of Tours, a soldier who cut his cloak in two to clothe a beggar. St. Martin is the patron saint of military chaplains and of the Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada. The maple leaves indicate the three branches of the Canadian Forces.
Motto
PRAESIDEMUS, meaning “We stand on guard”, indicates the pastoral mandate of the Ordinariate and is based on a line repeated several times in the national anthem.
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 October 23, 2010, in Volume 144, page 2712 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Roger Lindsay, Rouge Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
National, Regional, Diocesan, Administrative