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A shield of arms is the primary heraldic identification of the corporation. From ancient times it has been usual and customary for bishops to affix to all instruments incidental to their Episcopal functions an Official Seal displaying thereon the Arms of their associated See either impaled with their personal arms or their arms alone. Until 1935 when a proper corporate arms was designed for the Archdiocese of Toronto, official documents for the most part used the coat of arms of an individual bishop on official church matters. The current Coat of Arms for the Archdiocese of TorontoDesigned and registered in 1984 with the College of Arms, London, England.
Description of symbolic nature of the Shield of Arms by the College of Arms - 1984A diocese is the basic grouping of the Church – the people of God – under a Bishop, a successor of the Apostles. In its very nature, the grouping is of many people, many vocations, many ministries, each with characteristics, and personalities. In this way, the sharp ‘edges’ and awkward ‘shapes’ of each person, institution, and ministry who come together to form a pattern of inter-supporting cooperation. These diamond shapes are the basis of the design. These are awkward shapes, like humans, which when fitting in well with each other make up a composite whole. The colours of red and white represent Canada and may be taken as symbolic of the great effort, the blood and sweat required to bring together and forge the unified effort of this section of the people of God, formed into a Diocese. Across the design is placed the spear and shaft of St. Michael – the popular patron of the Diocese. This spear overcomes and controls the Dragon’s head, symbolic of the Devil. The shaft has its upper end formed as a cross – the symbol of Christianity and so of man’s redemption and attached to the cross are three gold maple leaves, symbolic reference to the Province of Ontario. Between the arms are rays of light, is an additional allusion to St. Michael the archangel whose light overcomes Lucifer. As these rays are curved – arched – this provides a subtle pun by the Heralds on his archangel status.College of Arms 1984. History of the Corporate Coat of Arms for the Archdiocese of TorontoThe notion of a corporate arms for the See of Toronto developed slowly. In 1842, the first Bishop of Toronto, Michael Power, consecrated the Diocese to the Most Sacred and most adorable Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Mother of God. In 1845, Bishop Power during the laying of the foundation stone of St. Michael’s Cathedral, noted that St. Michael the Archangel, was chosen and had been publicly announced as the principal Patron and Protector of the city of Toronto. After 1860 the idea of a corporate arms appears. An early example incorporating this can be seen over the Cathedral rectory where a shield referencing the patron of the city, another referencing the consecration of the Sacred and Immaculate hearts and the personal coat of arms of Bishop Power are displayed. The achievement was used very little in curial documents and the personal arms of the Bishop were used almost exclusively in all matters. On March 18, 1870, the See of Toronto was elevated to an Archdiocese. The current Bishop, J.J. Lynch, reworked the previous concept of the arms. The new coat of arms combined references to St. Michael and the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. One of the firsts acts of Bishop James McGuigan, eighth Bishop of Toronto, was to cause proper corporate arms for Toronto, designed in 1935. The arms were redrawn and were used for 40 years. In 1984, Cardinal Carter, made application to the College of Arms in London, England, for them to create a new corporate arms for the Archdiocese of Toronto. He envisioned the coat of arms to be a simple, distinctive design and confirm the popular belief that St. Michael is the protector of the Archdiocese.
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