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Vancouver, British Columbia
Grant of Arms
September 15, 2004
Vol. IV, p. 394
Arms of Richard Joseph GagnonBlazonGules a cross between in the first and fourth quarters a paschal lamb Or; SymbolismThe shield is partly inspired by the emblem of Monsignor Gagnon’s predecessor, Monsignor Modeste Demers (1809-1871), the first Bishop of Vancouver Island. Bishop Demers and Bishop Gagnon are closely related via a collateral branch of the Demers family. Bishop Demers’ emblem was red and gold and featured a gold Latin cross set on a mount with two figures praying at the base of the cross. These tinctures have been kept for the proposed arms, as has the cross. Since Bishop Gagnon was ordained on June 24th, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, the two charges are Agnus Dei emblems, traditionally associated with that saint. This is also a reference to Bishop Gagnon’s ancestral roots in Quebec. |
MottoBlazonTO OBEY IS TO SERVE IN LOVE; SymbolismTO OBEY IS TO SERVE IN LOVE is an expression of a very important part of Monsignor Gagnon’s faith and a vision for his episcopate. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 12, 2005 in Volume 139, page 689 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority PainterGordon Macpherson CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeIndividual |