The Heraldic description of the Arms

Vert rising to foothills or mountains argent and sky azure, three garbs or a book argent and sable imposed on the centre garb and intervening spaces superimposed by a crosier centered sable; in chief radiant or a cross sable with spear and sponge saltire on a grassy mound; the processional cross centered behind shield and motto ribbon surrounded by the Archbishop's hat and ten tassels vert.

The motto is: TO SERVE AS HE SERVED.

Symbolism

Archbishop Exner's own coat of arms shows the Oblate cross at the top. Together with the book and pastoral staff found in the central part of the shield, it recalls the threefold ministry of Christ, the ministry passed on to the Apostles and their successors.

The cross symbolizes Christ's priesthood, and speaks of His lifegiving ministry. The pastoral staff is a reminder of the bishop's role as shepherd of God's people. The book is a symbol of Christ the teacher and of the bishop's work as a teacher of the faith.

The mountains represent the terrain of Kamloops, Archbishop Exner's first diocese. The three sheaves of wheat are found also in the coat of arms of the Province of Saskatchewan, and proclaim Archbishop Exner's Prairie roots and farming experience.

The Archbishop's personal coat of arms was impaled with the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. This heraldic convention places the symbols mentioned above in the right half of the shield, compressing the archdiocesan arms in the left half.

Reference:

• www.rcav.org