COAT OF ARMS

Parted in three by a central bar, the upper right portion represents Bishop Marchand's birthplace: the blue water of Georgian Bay, the sand of its beaches, and the trillium, provincial flower of Ontario. The cross recalls the first mass celebrated in Ontario, at Lafontaine, his native parish, by Father Le Caron. Samuel de Champlain was in attendance! It also evokes Bishop Marchand's Christian origins. Immersed in water, the cross also symbolizes Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River and that of Christians. With its golden contour, it refers to the Lord's resurrection and to the new life that is generates.

The central bar illustrates Bishop Marchand's motto. The green colour refers to hope that draws its source from God's Word revealed by Jesus-Christ. The Word stands in the centre of our journey and from it shines the light that is guiding us towards the summits of our lives. This Word of Wisdom is the essence of our preaching.

The lower blue portion recalls the Montfortain order specially dedicated to Mary. The fleur-de-lis is a counterpart to the trillium and refers to Bishop Marchand's Franco-Ontarian origins.