The Coat of Arms for the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The ombrellino (umbrella), originally used as a canopy carried over the Pope, is now given as an honour to those churches with the title “Basilica”. It has broad alternating gold and red stripes, the traditional colours of the ontificate.
The keys behind the shield are the papal keys and represent the keys given to Peter by Jesus Christ.
The blue, white and green colours are found in abundance in the BIG LAND (Labrador). They represent the sky, forest, lakes and rivers, snow and precious minerals which surround our Basilica.
The three lilies on the blue background represent Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patron of the Basilica. The combination of three flowers reminds us of our baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The green twig represents the black spruce forest found in Labrador. The new growth at the top of the twig is a sign of ever increasing prosperity in the region. It also represents the daily call to grow ever closer in faith to Jesus Christ.
The black cross trimmed in gold is a call to action - an invitation to embrace our baptismal commitment to follow Christ in this time and place. It is also the insignia of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who have ministered in the Basilica for most of its history, including overseeing its construction.
The motto - Let Your Light Shine - taken from Matthew 5:16 ("In the same way, let your light shine before others. so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven") is a call from the Lord to promote gospel values. Just as our Basilica was built with stones gathered from the surrounding area, we are called to be living stones - witnessing to the Lord - shining for all to see.
LES ARMOIRIES DE LA BASILIQUE DE NOTRE-DAME DU PERPÉTUEL SECOURSL’ombrellino (ombrelle) qui servait à l’origine de baldaquin placé au dessus du Pape, est maintenant donné comme signe honorifique aux églises qui deviennent basiliques. Les rayures rouges et or sont les couleurs pontificales
Les clés derrière le bouclier sont les clés papales et représentent les clés données à Pierre par Jésus Christ.
Le bleu, le blanc et le vert se retrouvent en abondance dans les grandes étendues du Labrador. Elles représentent le ciel, les forêts, les rivières, les lacs, la neige et les métaux précieux qui entourent la basilique.
Les trois lis sur le fond bleu représentent Notre- Dame du Perpétuel Secours patronne de la basilique. Les trois fleurs nous rappellent notre baptême – au nom du Père, du Fils et du Saint Esprit.
La branche verte représente la forêt d’épinettes noires du Labrador. La nouvelle pousse au bout de la branche est le signe de la prospérité grandissante de la région. Elle représente aussi l’appel quotidien à grandir dans notre foi dans le Christ.
La croix noire entourée d’or nous appelle à l’action – une invitation à remplir l’engagement pris à notre baptême, de suivre le Christ ici et maintenant. C’est aussi l’insigne des Missionnaires Oblats de Marie- Immaculée qui ont exercé leur ministère dans cette basilique pour la plus grande partie de son existence supervisant même sa construction.
La devise - Que votre lumière brille – Matthieu 5 :16 (« De même que votre lumière brille aux yeux des hommes, pour qu’en voyant vos bonnes actions ils rendent gloire à votre Père qui est aux cieux ») est un appel du Seigneur à proclamer les valeurs de l’évangile. Comme notre Basilique a été construite avec des pierres provenant de la région, nous sommes appelés à devenir des pierres vivantes, témoins du Seigneur – lumineuses aux yeux de tous.
The keys behind the shield are the papal keys and represent the keys given to Peter by Jesus Christ.
The blue, white and green colours are found in abundance in the BIG LAND (Labrador). They represent the sky, forest, lakes and rivers, snow and precious minerals which surround our Basilica.
The three lilies on the blue background represent Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patron of the Basilica. The combination of three flowers reminds us of our baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The green twig represents the black spruce forest found in Labrador. The new growth at the top of the twig is a sign of ever increasing prosperity in the region. It also represents the daily call to grow ever closer in faith to Jesus Christ.
The black cross trimmed in gold is a call to action - an invitation to embrace our baptismal commitment to follow Christ in this time and place. It is also the insignia of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who have ministered in the Basilica for most of its history, including overseeing its construction.
The motto - Let Your Light Shine - taken from Matthew 5:16 ("In the same way, let your light shine before others. so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven") is a call from the Lord to promote gospel values. Just as our Basilica was built with stones gathered from the surrounding area, we are called to be living stones - witnessing to the Lord - shining for all to see.
LES ARMOIRIES DE LA BASILIQUE DE NOTRE-DAME DU PERPÉTUEL SECOURSL’ombrellino (ombrelle) qui servait à l’origine de baldaquin placé au dessus du Pape, est maintenant donné comme signe honorifique aux églises qui deviennent basiliques. Les rayures rouges et or sont les couleurs pontificales
Les clés derrière le bouclier sont les clés papales et représentent les clés données à Pierre par Jésus Christ.
Le bleu, le blanc et le vert se retrouvent en abondance dans les grandes étendues du Labrador. Elles représentent le ciel, les forêts, les rivières, les lacs, la neige et les métaux précieux qui entourent la basilique.
Les trois lis sur le fond bleu représentent Notre- Dame du Perpétuel Secours patronne de la basilique. Les trois fleurs nous rappellent notre baptême – au nom du Père, du Fils et du Saint Esprit.
La branche verte représente la forêt d’épinettes noires du Labrador. La nouvelle pousse au bout de la branche est le signe de la prospérité grandissante de la région. Elle représente aussi l’appel quotidien à grandir dans notre foi dans le Christ.
La croix noire entourée d’or nous appelle à l’action – une invitation à remplir l’engagement pris à notre baptême, de suivre le Christ ici et maintenant. C’est aussi l’insigne des Missionnaires Oblats de Marie- Immaculée qui ont exercé leur ministère dans cette basilique pour la plus grande partie de son existence supervisant même sa construction.
La devise - Que votre lumière brille – Matthieu 5 :16 (« De même que votre lumière brille aux yeux des hommes, pour qu’en voyant vos bonnes actions ils rendent gloire à votre Père qui est aux cieux ») est un appel du Seigneur à proclamer les valeurs de l’évangile. Comme notre Basilique a été construite avec des pierres provenant de la région, nous sommes appelés à devenir des pierres vivantes, témoins du Seigneur – lumineuses aux yeux de tous.
The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Corner Brook & Labrador
The mitre is a traditional symbol identifying the Arms as those of a diocese.
The blue and green colours are found in abundance throughout our diocese in the sky and water, forests and valleys. Silver (white) and gold colours are also lavish in snow and precious minerals.
The rising sun represents the primary focus of our faith - the risen Son of God, Jesus Christ. The rising sun also reflects our location in the eastern part of Canada, where the sun rises first every day.
Water represents our new life in Christ through the waters of Baptism. Water is the preeminent symbol of the life of the Church. Water is also the predominant element in both Newfoundland and Labrador. We are nourished and refreshed by the waters of the ocean, lakes and rivers of our diocese.
The silver (white) mountains represent God's holy mountain, upon which Moses spoke to the Lord and from which St. John saw the holy city Jerusalem "coming down out of heaven from God" - our great hope. There are spectacular mountain ranges on the west-coast of Newfoundland and throughout Labrador which, like the forest and water, provide a livelihood for many of our parishioners.
The motto - ONE HEART AND SOUL - taken from the Acts of the Apostles 4:32, ("Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul…”) is a description of the young Christian community. It is also the expression of our faith, hope and love as a young local church setting out anew.
The blue and green colours are found in abundance throughout our diocese in the sky and water, forests and valleys. Silver (white) and gold colours are also lavish in snow and precious minerals.
The rising sun represents the primary focus of our faith - the risen Son of God, Jesus Christ. The rising sun also reflects our location in the eastern part of Canada, where the sun rises first every day.
Water represents our new life in Christ through the waters of Baptism. Water is the preeminent symbol of the life of the Church. Water is also the predominant element in both Newfoundland and Labrador. We are nourished and refreshed by the waters of the ocean, lakes and rivers of our diocese.
The silver (white) mountains represent God's holy mountain, upon which Moses spoke to the Lord and from which St. John saw the holy city Jerusalem "coming down out of heaven from God" - our great hope. There are spectacular mountain ranges on the west-coast of Newfoundland and throughout Labrador which, like the forest and water, provide a livelihood for many of our parishioners.
The motto - ONE HEART AND SOUL - taken from the Acts of the Apostles 4:32, ("Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul…”) is a description of the young Christian community. It is also the expression of our faith, hope and love as a young local church setting out anew.