- 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.
Marcel Denis Joseph Damphousse
Cornwall, Ontario
Grant of Arms
August 30, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 179
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a cross wavy Gules fimbriated Or between in dexter chief a Celtic cross, in sinister chief a fleur-de-lis, in dexter base a bunch of grapes and in sinister base a garb Or;
Motto
UT VITAM HABEANT;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue refers to the sky of the Canadian prairies, where Bishop Damphousse was born and raised. It also alludes to Quebec, the home of his first Canadian ancestors. The wavy red cross refers to the Red River in Bishop Damphousse’s home province of Manitoba. The water imagery also signifies the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers bordering the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, as well as the waters of baptism. The Celtic cross is a feature of St. Boniface Cathedral in Manitoba, of which Bishop Damphousse was parish priest prior to his elevation to the episcopate. The fleur-de-lis refers to his French ancestry as well as to the many Franco-Ontarians in the diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. The bunch of grapes is found on the arms of the Dionne family association, being a pun on the name Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. It therefore refers to Bishop Damphousse’s mother, whose surname was Dionne. The garb of wheat refers to the farming background of his family in Manitoba, and to the agricultural base of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. The grapes and wheat are also symbols of the wine and bread of the Eucharist.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “That they may have life” (John 10:10).
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 3, 2013, in Volume 147, page 537 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Pichette, Dauphin Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual