A Coat of Arms fit for a cardinal

With his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Archbishop Thomas Collins has updated his bishop’s coat of arms. The biggest change is an emphasis on the colour red of a cardinal. Here is an explanation of the new emblem.

The motto “Deum Adora” (Worship God) is taken from Revelation 22:9.

The shield with a gold cross on a red background is based on that of St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ont., where Cardinal Collins studied, lectured and was eventually Dean of Theology and Rector. The Alpha and Omega recall Revelation 22:13, where Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” The open Bible and the chalice represent the two great ways in which we experience Jesus in the Church, in Word and sacrament.

The symbol above the coat of arms of a red galero (wide-brimmed hat) with 15 tassels on each side, commemoratES the tradition (prior to Second Vatican Council) of the Pope’s presentation of a red-tasseled galero to new cardinals.

The golden metropolitan cross behind the shield signifies Cardinal Collins’ position overseeing an archdiocese (a metropolitan see).

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