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The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Edmonton, Alberta
Grant of Arms
November 20, 2009
Vol. V, p. 479

Arms of The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
Arms of The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Arms of The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Arms of The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Blazon

Azure a chevron Argent between in chief two ears of wheat in saltire and two snowshoes in saltire and in base a Chi-Rho Or;

Symbolism

Blue refers to the healing waters of Lac Ste. Anne, the site of the first Catholic mission in the area, to the waters of Baptism, and to Mary, the mother of Christ. White refers to the truth and hope Christians find in the Gospel, while gold refers to the providence and glory of God. The chevron represents a carpenter’s square, an emblem of St. Joseph, the patron of the Archdiocese. It also alludes to the Rocky Mountains in the west of the Archdiocese. The ears of wheat are a Eucharistic symbol of the Bread of Life; they also refer to prairie agriculture. The snowshoes represent the ministry of the first bishop, Vital Grandin, who was said to have walked 25,000 miles in snowshoes during his ministry. The Chi-Rho, which combines the Greek letters X and P (Ch and R in the Roman alphabet), refers to the name of Christ.

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.
Letters patent granting heraldic emblems to The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Letters patent granting heraldic emblems to The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Additional Information