Explanation of Coat of Arms

Explanation of the Coat of Arms

Coats of arms date back to medieval times when knights on battlefields used them as a way to distinguish allies from enemy soldiers.  They continue to be used for educational institutions, state seals, even the Great Seal of the United States.  They are widely used in the Catholic Church.  Each Pope, Bishop, and Diocese has a distinctive coat of arms.  Heraldic artist, Rev. Guy Selvester, designed the original St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope coat of arms.  Kathryn Casey updated it to its present look.   

The shield is divided into four parts by the cross of Christ.  The upper left part represents St. Brigid’s Parish.  It depicts the woven cross of St. Brigid of Ireland, patron of the Parish.  The upper right part shows a tree with roots, trunk, branches, and leaves.  The uprooted tree represents the generations of families served by the school.  The lower left part contains books and an illuminated lamp, which represents learning and knowledge.  The lower right part represents Our Lady of Hope Parish.  It contains the initials A and M for Ave Maria, Hail Mary in Latin.  The crown symbolizes the queenship of our Blessed Mother Mary over heaven and earth.  The shield rests on a ribbon containing our motto, faith, family, knowledge.