Franciscan Symbols

The Franciscan Coat of Arms

A Coat of Arms belongs to a family, a group of people or to a person with special status such as a Knight or a Bishop. In families the Coat of Arms is passed down from one generation to the next. The design has special meaning for the people to whom it belongs and sometimes the symbols used do not readily give up the meaning.

The Franciscan Coat of Arms belongs to the whole Franciscan Family and its meaning is very clear though the primary image is seen embedded in differing surrounds. In most Franciscan Institutions throughout the world, the Coat of Arms will be displayed somewhere. Here are some examples:

In its simplest form the Franciscan Coat of Arms shows the Cross with the crossed arms of Jesus and Francis – both showing the marks of the Stigmata. The Words “Deus Meus et Omnia” (My God and My All) are often printed underneath the crossed arms. The words are a prayer used by Francis. The stigmata or five wounds was given to Francis near the end of his life while he prayed on Mount La Verna asking to feel in his heart the love of Jesus and to feel in his body the suffering of Christ Crucified.

Return to main Symbols page

To Top of Page

© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle