The College Coat of Arms
It was Brother Mullen who gave
the College its present coat-of-arms. The original Signum Fidei
design can be seen in stone above the south entrance to the
1897 wing, and in the door leading from the house to the school
yard.
In 1921 the Order of Christian Brothers adopted another
design, which was widely used by the brothers' schools throughout Australia with many
local variations, some of which were quite contrary to the rules of heraldry. Brother
Mullen thought that the College should have a coat-of-arms that was characteristic and
heraldically sound. He went into the question carefully and in 1950 produced the present
design.
The motto Ante faciem Domini, "Before the Face of the
Lord", is taken from Luke 1:9, the Canticle of Zachary. It reminds students of their
duty to live as becomes Christians.
The Dolphin is an early Christian symbol for Christ; it
also stood for the ardent desire of Christians to seek Christ and his knowledge. It can
also represent the Brother aspiring after true wisdom which is found to be in Christ. The
Crowns come from the coat-of-arms of Archbishop Reynolds, the founder of the College.
Those not familiar with the strange creatures used in
coats-of-arms were inclined to make ribald remarks about our three tadpoles, but ignorance
can usually be dispelled by instruction. Now all connected with the college should be able
to appreciate the significance and appropriateness of the coat-of-arms, Brother Mullen's
gift to the College.
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