Arms of Murray David Chatlain

Blazon

Azure a bendlet wavy between in chief a Dene drum and in base a stole Argent, overall on a cross nowy Or a cross issuant from a heart Gules;

Symbolism

The diagonal wavy stripe indicates the geographic position of the Mackenzie River, the dominant feature of the diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. The sacred drum refers to the strength of the spirit and culture of the Dene people, and to Bishop Chatlain’s pastoral work in northern Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. The stole is an item of liturgical vesture worn over the shoulders by priests and bishops. It is shown here with the two ends hanging vertically, and the centre part looping down somewhat, as it would when resting on the back. The result is that the shape is like a letter M, and thus a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the M on the arms of Pope John Paul II. The yellow cross indicates that Bishop Chatlain was ordained a bishop on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross (September 14), and the heart with the cross is the emblem of the Jesu Caritas movement in which Bishop Chatlain is active.