Heraldic arms are not only art but also faith markers

I was very pleased to learn that the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta sponsored an illustrated talk on the heraldry of the Knights during the Crusades.

Heraldic emblems are much more than mere emblems or logos; they were (and still remain) a means of showcasing individual identity, group identity, as well as reflecting an overarching connection among Christians – past and present – as ‘faith markers’.

The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (more commonly known as members of the Order of the Temple, and later as Knights Templar) originally protected pilgrims from Europe en route to the Holy Land. The Knights of St John likewise provided a Christian guard, but they also tended to the sick, infirm, aged, destitute, and wounded people along the pathways they encountered in their journeys.

The Knights Templar had their battle flags, sometimes called standards or beauceants. The Knights of St John also had their battle flags, banners and beauceants, but they also had maritime flags which flew atop the Order’s ships. A black-and-white Templar beauceant or the classic red Templar cross had different characteristics and style than that of the distinctive eight-pointed Maltese cross borne by the Knights of St John. Although different, each group could recognise each other as brother knights by these signs, symbols, words and tokens.

Today these heraldic emblems may be viewed as works of art, but they are still emblematic of the valiant virtues, noble aspirations, and unswerving faith that we hold dear. As a member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gerard (the relief arm of the Order of Malta), I am mindful that the Cross upon which Jesus Christ died was an emblem of suffering, but it is a reminder to each of us of that precious Salvation and in the hope for eternal life with God.

One of the mottos on United States’ coinage is ‘In God we trust’. Heraldic art is a tangible means of showing support for, and reverence toward, the omnipotent and omnipresent nature of God. What we cannot see with our eyes we can envision in our hearts.

Faith markers are man-made reminders to keep the unseen or invisible aspects of God firmly placed before our eyes. The valiant precepts we ‘see’ with our eyes we can then tangibly ‘practise’ with our hands. Let us appreciate heraldic art, but let us remember that it also constitutes part of our own identity. It provides us with a clue as to what to do to enrich our lives and fortify our faith.