Symbolism of the armorial bearings of the Most Reverend Paul Terrio

ARMS: The red field and Roman sword are taken from the coat of arms of the diocese of Saint-Paul and evoke the faith witness and martyrdom of the saint and patron of the diocese. They also allude to the bishop’s personal name.

The upper field in blue with the gold star is for the Stella Maris of our Lady of the Assumption who is the Patron of  the Acadian peoples of Bishop Paul’s  paternal heritage.

The golden lion can evoke our Lord himself, as the Lion of Judah but also the family shield (Harper) of the bishop’s maternal heritage.

The white dove can allude to the Holy Spirit of love and peace but also to the Terriot family crest.

The black moon crescent is from the image of our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and on whose feast day the bishop received episcopal ordination.

MOTTO: ET VIRTUTEM RESURRECTIONIS EIUS is Latin for

“and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3,10)