Pater Noster Fraternity at 5419 North 114th Street, Omaha, NE 68164 US - Pater Noster Fraternity Logo "...rich in symbols."
| Pater Noster Fraternity Logo "...rich in symbols." |
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| Our Fraternity is Dedicated to God, the Father Almighty! |
The Pater Noster Fraternity logo is truly rich in symbols. We begin by saying that the logo itself, is like an icon, and represents our faith, love and prayers for our fraternity members, their families, the Franciscan Order and the entire Church. We ask for the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Peace, St. Francis, the angels and saints. First, notice the outer rings.
Although it appears that there are two, there are really three. Two dark and one golden. These three rings symbolize the Holy Trinity. The outermost ring symbolizes God the Father. The innermost ring symbolizes Jesus, His only Son, our Lord, in whose footsteps we follow in the “spirit” of St. Francis. The Golden ring symbolizes the Holy Spirit who “proceeds” from the Father and the Son.
Next, is the Hand of God the Father. It is pointing down from heaven symbolizing His infinite creative power and might that blesses and sanctifies everything it touches. The two fingers and thumb together is an ancient symbol of the Trinity, three persons in one God. The hand is placed above everything else which symbolizes that He is truly, “God the Father Almighty,” the creator of heaven and earth.
The Pater Noster Fraternity is, dedicated and consecrated to God the Father who is our “Pater Noster.” The clouds symbolize heaven, the “Father’s house.” As Secular Franciscans, and in the spirit of the “the Beatitudes” we as pilgrims and strangers on our way home to the Father, constantly strive to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power. (Rule 11b)
Next, is the Dove of the Holy Spirit, flying down as He did at the time of the Incarnation and also, when Jesus was baptized, at the Jordan river by John the Baptist. He brings with Him the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The beak of the Dove is at the very center of the circle. This symbolizes our desire to have the Holy Spirit at the “center” of our lives and our Franciscan Spirituality. He is the number one source and agent of our Franciscan spiritual formation. He strengthens us in our “public promises” of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Next, is the Tau Cross of the Franciscan Order. This particular tau cross was fashioned from the original logo of our own Queen of Peace Region. This symbolizes that the fraternity is part of, and submissive to, the Queen of Peace Regional Fraternity, the Franciscan Order, and the Roman Catholic Church. This also symbolizes that the fraternity constantly desires the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Peace to help us respond, as did St. Francis, to God’s call to holiness. The Dove is placed over the Queen of Peace Tau Cross, symbolizing the “Incarnation” when Mary said to the angel Gabriel, “Let it be done unto me according to your word!”...and she conceived of the Holy Spirit! Just like Mary, we desire to respond without hesitation in faith, trust, confidence, and love. We therefore can provide a place for Jesus in our hearts.
On the Tau Cross are the hands of Jesus and St. Francis. Traditionally, the arms are always placed in “front” of the cross. This Franciscan emblem is known as “the conformities.” In the Pater Noster logo, the arm of St. Francis is placed on the back of the cross. This symbolizes that St Francis truly “embraced” the cross. To embrace the cross, one must put their arms “around” it.
The arm and hand of Jesus, placed in front of the cross, symbolizes that Jesus alone was crucified and died for our sins. The Holy Wound in Jesus’ hand is “visible” but not “nailed.” This symbolizes that He is truly Risen from the dead and has conquered sin and death! The “stigmata” on the hand of St. Francis, is a sign for the entire world. It reveals that St. Francis imitated Christ so perfectly that Jesus placed His own glorious “signature” on him.
The rays of light coming from the tau cross symbolize that our fraternity members must strive each day to be the light of Christ in the world, and that our light must shine before all so that they may see goodness in our acts and give praise to our Heavenly Father, Our Pater Noster! ~ Submitted by Marc Leger, SFO
Although it appears that there are two, there are really three. Two dark and one golden. These three rings symbolize the Holy Trinity. The outermost ring symbolizes God the Father. The innermost ring symbolizes Jesus, His only Son, our Lord, in whose footsteps we follow in the “spirit” of St. Francis. The Golden ring symbolizes the Holy Spirit who “proceeds” from the Father and the Son.
Next, is the Hand of God the Father. It is pointing down from heaven symbolizing His infinite creative power and might that blesses and sanctifies everything it touches. The two fingers and thumb together is an ancient symbol of the Trinity, three persons in one God. The hand is placed above everything else which symbolizes that He is truly, “God the Father Almighty,” the creator of heaven and earth.
The Pater Noster Fraternity is, dedicated and consecrated to God the Father who is our “Pater Noster.” The clouds symbolize heaven, the “Father’s house.” As Secular Franciscans, and in the spirit of the “the Beatitudes” we as pilgrims and strangers on our way home to the Father, constantly strive to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power. (Rule 11b)
Next, is the Dove of the Holy Spirit, flying down as He did at the time of the Incarnation and also, when Jesus was baptized, at the Jordan river by John the Baptist. He brings with Him the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The beak of the Dove is at the very center of the circle. This symbolizes our desire to have the Holy Spirit at the “center” of our lives and our Franciscan Spirituality. He is the number one source and agent of our Franciscan spiritual formation. He strengthens us in our “public promises” of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Next, is the Tau Cross of the Franciscan Order. This particular tau cross was fashioned from the original logo of our own Queen of Peace Region. This symbolizes that the fraternity is part of, and submissive to, the Queen of Peace Regional Fraternity, the Franciscan Order, and the Roman Catholic Church. This also symbolizes that the fraternity constantly desires the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Peace to help us respond, as did St. Francis, to God’s call to holiness. The Dove is placed over the Queen of Peace Tau Cross, symbolizing the “Incarnation” when Mary said to the angel Gabriel, “Let it be done unto me according to your word!”...and she conceived of the Holy Spirit! Just like Mary, we desire to respond without hesitation in faith, trust, confidence, and love. We therefore can provide a place for Jesus in our hearts.
On the Tau Cross are the hands of Jesus and St. Francis. Traditionally, the arms are always placed in “front” of the cross. This Franciscan emblem is known as “the conformities.” In the Pater Noster logo, the arm of St. Francis is placed on the back of the cross. This symbolizes that St Francis truly “embraced” the cross. To embrace the cross, one must put their arms “around” it.
The arm and hand of Jesus, placed in front of the cross, symbolizes that Jesus alone was crucified and died for our sins. The Holy Wound in Jesus’ hand is “visible” but not “nailed.” This symbolizes that He is truly Risen from the dead and has conquered sin and death! The “stigmata” on the hand of St. Francis, is a sign for the entire world. It reveals that St. Francis imitated Christ so perfectly that Jesus placed His own glorious “signature” on him.
The rays of light coming from the tau cross symbolize that our fraternity members must strive each day to be the light of Christ in the world, and that our light must shine before all so that they may see goodness in our acts and give praise to our Heavenly Father, Our Pater Noster! ~ Submitted by Marc Leger, SFO