The Heraldic description of the Arms

Or a fess Azure charged with a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper and a Harp also Or stringed Argent and in sinister a Garb Or between in chief an Eagle rising Gules nimbed Argent grasping in the dexter claw a Serpent Vert and in base on waves of the sea a Galley, oars in action, proper.

The EAGLE is the symbol of victory recalling Bishop Bohan’s family name, or in its Irish spelling “Buadhacháin” meaning “victorious”. The eagle holding the serpent in its talon is symbolic of the victory of Christ over evil and thus represents salvation, redemption and resurrection.

The WHITE ROSE is for “York” the original name for Toronto for whom Archbishop Bohan was first named Auxiliary Bishop. In Christian prayer, Mary is praised as the “Mystical Rose”, the symbol of graced fertility of whom Christ was born into the world.

The HARP symbolizes Ireland the country of origin of the Bohan family before its immigration to Canada in the early 19th century. In Christian symbolism, the harp represents all music played to the glory of God.

The WHEAT SHEAF is taken from the arms of the Province of Saskatchewan of which the See of Regina is located. The heads of wheat recall the Eucharistic Bread of Life.

The GALLEY is taken from the arms of the Province of New Brunswick, Bishop Bohan’s home province. By extension, the ship also represents the Holy Church, the Barque of Peter. The full sail and the billowing flags indicate that this heraldic ship, like the Church, is driven by the winds of the Holy Spirit. The oars tell of the human work it takes to navigate the ship, in cooperation with God’s plan.

The MOTTO: “Misericors et Fidelis” (“Compassionate and Faithful”) is taken from the “Letter to the Hebrews” and describes Christ, the true High Priest.

Reference:

• archregina.sk.ca