Arms of Marcel Denis Joseph Damphousse

Blazon

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;

Symbolism

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.