EMBLEM ABOVE ENTRANCE

This is a Portland stone facia and the Stonemason for this was Mr. Ervin Shaw from Stafford who also was the stonemason for the Lectern, Baptismal Font, and the Altar. The Heart and Arrow part of the emblem is the work of Mr. Henry Joseph of Allied Artists. The emblem symbolises St. Augustine's own personal ideal and the ideal of the Community of Christians who follow his inspiration and direction.

The symbols of the book and heart first of all express the priority of the interior psychological life of both a person and a community of persons. The book in the emblem is an open book; our minds must be an open book, to God, to Man, to the world, to life. The open book represents the Good News of God in which it is written.

The Flame over the Heart, and the Arrow through the Heart and Book, signify that life, the truly good life, is to be an intense experience. Augustine lived his own life with considerable fire and passion. His followers are to live fully and conciously, deeply and truly movingly. The Arrow represents the Grace of God which is sent into our minds and hearts to pierce us with the vision and desire to live for God and our neighbours.

The Heart aflame is obviously the symbol for love supreme, for Charity that is unlimited and all-embracing. To burn for love, to long, to crave for the ultimate Good - the Living Lord - is what we are.

IN OMNIBUS CARITAS - In All Things Love - express the motto of the Augustinian Order. This is the third line of triplet attributed to St. Augustine, the other two being: "In essential truths let there be Unity; in questions of doubt let there be Liberty; but in all things let there be Love." The words contain in a nutshell the essential message of how we are to love one another in all things. May all who read this evermore imbibe this Spirit and show it forth in there daily lives.

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