COAT OF ARMS

The armorial bearings of the Archbishop show the arms of the Archdiocese of Armagh on one half of the shield and the personal arms of the Archbishop on the other.

The Archdiocese of Armagh is represented by the pallium, which is the scapular made of lamb’s wool given by the Pope to symbolise the authority of an archbishop. It will be recalled that it was on a journey to Rome to obtain the pallium that St Malachy died in Clairvaux in 1148.

The other half of the shield, Cardinal Brady’s personal armorial bearings, is an adaptation of the ancient shield of arms associated with Mac Brádaigh of Cúl Bhríde, which comprises the district around Stradone in County Cavan. The symbol of the sun, a notable feature of the family arms, has been replaced by a representation of the head of the Cross of Saint Muireadhach, the celebrated scriptural Cross at Monasterboice, which lies within the Archdiocese of Armagh. The shield therefore directs our attention to the Cross – the abiding symbol of our salvation.

The motto JESUM CHRISTUM COGNOSCERE, (To know Jesus Christ) chosen by Archbishop Brady, is inspired by the words of St John’s Gospel: “Eternal Life is this: to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (17.3). St Paul refers to “the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3.8) and insists that he is “preaching a Crucified Christ” (1 Cor. 1.23). Knowledge is the basis of love and the Christian, whether lay or cleric, priest or bishop, strives to know Jesus Christ in order to love him and to preach him.

Reference:

• www.armagharchdiocese.org
• www.araldicavaticana.com