Our Logo and Heraldic Crest

Both the corporate logo and heraldic crest and coat of arms of the Queen of Angels Foundation are replete with symbolic and iconographic meaning.

Queen of Angels FoundationThe corporate logo of the Queen of Angels Foundation, used on its stationery and the business cards of its Board Members, is a crown with seven stars, with the salutation in Latin, “Ave Maria, Regina Angelorum,” which means “Hail Mary, Queen of Angels.”

Queen of Angels Foundation

The iconography of the seven stars is intended to symbolize several important attributes and aspects of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Mariology. The star itself, apart from the number of stars presented, is a traditional sign of Mary, “La Madonna della Stella.” The star figures in many of the titles of Mary, including most recently, the “Star of the New Evangelization,” coined by our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.  From ancient times she has been called “Stella Maris,” the Star of the Sea, which is one interpretation of her Jewish name, Miriam, and also “Stella Jacobi,” the Star of Jacob, “Stella Matutina,” the Morning Star, and “Stella non Erratica,” the Fixed Star.   Images of Mary often adorn her with a crown of twelve stars, referring to the text of the St. John’s Apocalypse at 12:1: “A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

The Seven Virtues- Prudence, Justice, Faith, Charity, Hope, Fortitude and Temperance and their representative Saints (Pesellino Shop, Birmingham Museum of Art)

The Seven Virtues- Prudence, Justice, Faith, Charity, Hope, Fortitude and Temperance and their representative Saints (Pesellino Shop, Birmingham Museum of Art)

The crown of stars here is a Crown of Immortality, reflecting the Queenship of Mary and her eternal reign, as Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Our Lady of the Angels and Sovereign of the Seraphim.  That there are seven stars above her crown highlights certain perfections embodied and exemplified by Our Lady, and reminds us of key events she plays in Salvation History.

The seven stars on the Crown of Immortality of Our Lady of the Angels also signify the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy (Feed the hungry; Give drink to the thirsty; Clothe the naked; Shelter the homeless; Visit the sick; Visit the imprisoned; and Bury the dead).

They also, by their symbolism, call the Faithful to perform, to the best of their abilities, the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy (Instruct the ignorant; Counsel the doubtful; Admonish sinners; Bear wrongs patiently; Forgive offences willingly; Comfort the afflicted; and Pray for the living and the dead).

These seven acts of mercy, both corporal and spiritual, are linked to the Seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom mentioned in Proverbs 9:1 (“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars”).

We also are reminded of the Seven Spirits of God mentioned in the Book of Revelation at 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, moreover, about the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, all of which reached their purest form in Christ, and in His Mother, Our Lady of the Angels. (See CCC section 1831 [“The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. [Footnote omitted.] They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”).

Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy

Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy

The seven stars on the Crown of Immortality of Our Lady of the Angels also signify the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy (Feed the hungry; Give drink to the thirsty; Clothe the naked; Shelter the homeless; Visit the sick; Visit the imprisoned; and Bury the dead). They also, by their symbolism, call the Faithful to perform, to the best of their abilities, the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy (Instruct the ignorant; Counsel the doubtful; Admonish sinners; Bear wrongs patiently; Forgive offences willingly; Comfort the afflicted; and Pray for the living and the dead).

Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God , with the Seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom

Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God , with the Seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom

These seven acts of mercy, both corporal and spiritual, are linked to the Seven Pillars of the House of Wisdom mentioned in Proverbs 9:1 (“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars”).

In this Tree of Jesse the seven gifts, represented as doves, encircle a bust of Christ. Recipian Bible, c. 1180, BnF, Paris

In this Tree of Jesse the seven gifts, represented as doves, encircle a bust of Christ. Recipian Bible, c. 1180, BnF, Paris

We also are reminded of the Seven Spirits of God mentioned in the Book of Revelation at 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, moreover, about the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, all of which reached their purest form in Christ, and in His Mother, Our Lady of the Angels. (See CCC section 1831 [“The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. [Footnote omitted.] They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”).

Thus, the seven stars here represent, among other things, the Seven Virtues taught by the Catholic Church, which reached their perfection in the Blessed Virgin Mary (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility).

UNKNOWN MASTER, German, Altarpiece of the Seven Joys of Mary, c. 1480, Wood, 127 x 182 cm, Musée du Louvre, Paris

UNKNOWN MASTER, German, Altarpiece of the Seven Joys of Mary, c. 1480, Wood, 127 x 182 cm, Musée du Louvre, Paris

They also represent the Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary (the Annunciation, the Nativity of Jesus, the Adoration of the Magi, the Resurrection of Christ, the Ascension of Christ to Heaven, the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary, and the Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven).

DÜRER, Albrecht, The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, c. 1496, Oil on panel, Alte Pinakothek, Munchen and Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

DÜRER, Albrecht, The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, c. 1496, Oil on panel, Alte Pinakothek, Munchen and Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

But Our Lady also suffered tremendous sorrows on her earthly pilgrimage, and the seven stars on her crown remind us of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the prophecy of Simeon, the Flight to Egypt, the Loss of Child Jesus for 3 days, later found in His Father’s House, Witnessing Jesus carry his Cross on the Via Dolorosa, the Crucifixion of Jesus, taking Jesus Down from the Cross, and the Burial of Jesus).

Finally, focusing always and in everything on her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we reach through Mary, the seven stars on her crown call to mind the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the cross, witnessed by his Mother (the First Word: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34); the Second Word: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43); the Third Word “Jesus said to his mother: “Woman, this is your son.”  Then he said to the disciple: “This is your mother.” (John 19:26-27); the Fourth Word: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34); the Fifth Word: “I thirst” (John 19:28); the Sixth Word: When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.  (John 19:30); and the Seventh Word: Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

The heraldic crest and coat of arms are the official emblem of the Confraternity of Catholic Faithful who comprise the Queen of Angels Foundation.

Our Lady of the Angels with the Seven Archangels, Fresco in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome

Our Lady of the Angels with the Seven Archangels, Fresco in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome

Following loosely traditional heraldic norms, it is comprised of a shield containing the image of the Blessed Virgin with the Child Jesus cradled in her arm.  A regal mantle in royal blue, with white and ermine inside, surrounds the shield and drapes from the golden crown above.  Two angels support the shield, on top of which figure two red roses.  In heraldry, mantling or “lambrequin” is drapery tied to the crown above the shield, forming a backdrop for the shield.

BOSCH, Hieronymus, The Seven Deadly Sins, c. 1480, Oil on panel, 120 x 150 cm, Museo del Prado, Madrid

BOSCH, Hieronymus, The Seven Deadly Sins, c. 1480, Oil on panel, 120 x 150 cm, Museo del Prado, Madrid

The rich blue color reflects the Blessed Virgin’s royalty as the Mother of the King of Heaven, Jesus Christ.  As such, she is Queen of Heaven, Sovereign of Angels and the Seraphim, and, because of her singular role in the evangelization of the New World, she also is Empress of the Americas.  The color blue also represents some of the signal attributes of Our Lady: loyalty; fidelity; constancy; chastity, chaste affections; spotless reputation; magnanimity; prudence; piety; peace; contemplation; and fidelity.

The white underside of the mantle, which embraces the shield bearing the image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, with ermine, represents the purified soul; joy; purity; virginity, innocence; the holy life; light; sublime integrity, and chastity:  all symbols and attributes of Our Lady.

The mantles is displayed with tassels and cords, which are classic symbols of ecclesiastical heraldry, reflecting the Confraternity’s missions of bringing pilgrims to Christ and His Church through Mary, as the Procession in Her honor will culminate in the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass, in Mother Church.

The golden crown reflects the Queenship of Mary, and her Sovereign role as mediatrix between the earthly and heavenly realms where she reigns as Mother of Our Lord.  The color gold is emblematic of the sun and divine power, the splendor of enlightenment revealed in Scripture and Sacred Liturgy, and the immortality vouchsafed to us through the life, death and resurrection of her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

BOTTICELLI, Sandro, Madonna of the Rosegarden (Madonna del Roseto), 1469-70

In heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up.  Here, the supporters are figures of two angels, representing the Archangels, Guardian Angels and entire Angelic Host of whom Our Lady of the Angels is Queen.  They are smaller in size than the Virgin and the Child Jesus to reflect their subordinate role as ministers of the Heavenly Court in which Mary is Queen and our Lord Jesus Christ is King.  They are draped in royal blue to reflect the divine service they perform at the behest of Our Lady of the Angels, to bring the faithful closer into communion with her Son, Jesus Christ, and his Church.  Their wings are yellow, reflecting a golden sacredness and the divinity of the Holy Trinity and Our Lady of the Angels whom they serve, and which also are reminiscent of “the robe of glory” used for feasts of Confessors.

The two red roses above the shield on either side of the regal crown of gold reflect not only her regal status – as the rose is the queen of all flowers – but also symbolize the Blessed Virgin’s purity and beauty, and the love that she embodies, expresses and inspires yesterday, today and forever.  Our Lady of the Angels, the Queen of Heaven and Empress of the Americas also is the Rose of Sharon.  The thorns of the rose remind us of the crown of thorns worn by her Son, the red petals remind us of his precious blood shed to deliver us from our sins and death, and the wine of the Holy Mass, and the green leaves and stem remind us of the resurrection and hope of eternal life.

Finally, the banner below the shield states the core mission of the Queen of Angels Foundation:  “Dedicated to devotion to Our Lady of the Angels, Queen of Heaven and Empress of the Americas.”

QUEEN OF ANGELS FOUNDATION

633 West 5th Street, Suite 2600
Los Angeles, CA 90071

(T) 213-223-2151