- 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.
Stephen Arthur Jensen
Prince George, British Columbia
Grant of Arms
March 30, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 223
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Azure and Argent semé of flames Gules, in chief a mullet Argent between two dogwood flowers proper;
Motto
PARARE VIAS EIUS;
Symbolism
Arms
The angled division alludes to a mountain and thus to Bishop Jensen’s birthplace in North Vancouver and his ministry in British Columbia. The blue background alludes to the Pacific Ocean. The dogwood flowers are the provincial flower of British Columbia and are also found in the arms of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, in which Bishop Jensen served for over 30 years. The star is a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also represents the North Star and Bishop Jensen’s responsibilities in northern British Columbia as Bishop of Prince George. The flames are a symbol of knowledge and thus refer to education, in which Bishop Jensen has a doctorate and which has been a particular focus of his work as a priest. They also allude to his apostolic ministry as a bishop, as flames appeared above the heads of the apostles at Pentecost.
Motto
This Latin phrase, meaning “To prepare His ways” (Luke 1:76), is a phrase from the song of Zechariah referring to the mission of St. John the Baptist as prophesied by Isaiah.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 30, 2013, in Volume 147, page 2707 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual