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| The newly assumed arms of an Episcopal Priest Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025 |
Arms: Argent, on a fess Sable two Mayflowers (epigaea repens) Argent barbed Vert each charged with a fleur-de-lis Azure debruised by a pile Azure charged with a dove descending Argent haloed Or
Motto: Dum Spiro Spero, Latin for, “While I breathe, I hope”
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| My version of a "library print" including the arms of the cleric's seminary, diocese, etc. Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025 |
Design Rationale: The new armiger is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church, and referenced through the clerical color of black for the fess. The fess is charged with two Mayflowers (epigaea repens) honoring the armiger’s ancestor, William Bradford (1590-1657), who emigrated from England and arrived at Plymouth Colony aboard the Mayflower in 1620. The flowers are charged with a fleur-de-lis representing not only the City of St. Louis where his ministry began, but also his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Additionally, the fleur-de-lis is used as the crest in the armiger’s order, the Order of Christ the Savior. The blue pile represents the limitless heavens above as the dove of peace descends offering grace, healing, and hope in the world today. The motto is attributed to King Charles the Martyr, representing another saintly model for the armiger. The external ornament of a black galero with a single tassel follows the guidance set forth in The Earl Marshal’s Warrant of 1976 which codified such use in the arms of clergy in the Church of England.
Designer: Chad M. Krouse, EdD of Richmond, Virginia
Date: 10 January 2025
