The Arms of our Parish
The arms of our parish reflect its patron, its congregation and its location. The red field alludes to our patron, Saint Michael the Archangel. The "cross botonce" is associated with the saint in heraldry, and the flaming sword is the one held by the saint. The silver (white) crescent and three stars of six points are taken from the arms of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the second oldest in the United States. The stars were taken from the arms of Pope Gregory XVI who established the Archdiocese. The crescent is the symbol of the Immaculate Conception, the titular patron of the Cathedral of Portland, and of the United States of America.
The tinctures (colors) of the field include gold which is often associated with divinity because church is where people encounter the Divine. The red, green and white are the Italian national colors. This honors the heritage of this Italian national parish.
© 2009 The Church of St. Michael the Archangel
