Since the early centuries of the Church, bishops have used personal coats of arms as a means of identification. Following this ancient tradition, Bishop Joseph Dabrowski has chosen colours and symbols that are deeply meaningful to him. They reflect his faith, devotion, and family background.
The Colours
The shield is divided into three parts:
- Top right: White
- Top left: Red
- Bottom: Green
These colours come from the flags of Canada, Poland, and Italy.
Red and white appear in both the Polish and Canadian flags, while red, white, and green are found in the Italian flag.
Poland is his land of birth, Canada his present home, and Italy the country where Bishop Dabrowski received his intellectual, human, and spiritual formation and was ordained to the priesthood.
The red and white are also the colours of Divine Mercy, drawn from the Gospel of John (John 19:34).
Each colour carries its own spiritual meaning:
- White signifies peace, purity, and faith.
- Red symbolizes love, sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit.
- Green evokes life, growth, and hope.
The Symbols on the Shield
In the white section, a crowned letter M represents the Blessed Virgin Mary. This ancient monogram has marked Marian devotion since the Middle Ages. Here it expresses Bishop Dabrowski’s deep love and devotion to Theotokos, Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church.
The uppercase letter “J” honours Saint Joseph the Worker, the humble carpenter of Nazareth (Matthew 13:55), and reflects Bishop Joseph’s baptismal name. The carpenter’s square beside the letter symbolizes the quiet strength, steadfast faith, and diligent craftsmanship of this revered patron.
Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, connects Bishop Dabrowski to his home parish of St. Joseph in Wysoka Strzyżowska, Poland, where he received the sacraments of initiation and celebrated his first Mass as both priest and bishop. It also links him to Saint Joseph Minor Basilica in Castel Sant’Elia (VT), Italy, where he was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood.
In the green section, a flaming sword with wings represents Saint Michael the Archangel, the defender of the Church. This symbol reflects Bishop Dabrowski’s spiritual roots in the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel (the Michaelite Fathers), to which he has belonged since his youth and where he served for many years as both priest and leader. The flame and wings signify faith in action, courage, and divine protection.
The Motto
Bishop Dabrowski’s episcopal motto, “Jesu, in te confido” — “Jesus, I trust in You” — is the phrase that accompanies the image of Jesus, the Divine Mercy, revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska.
These words summarize his life rooted in God’s love and mercy, and echo the Scripture:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.” — Jeremiah 17:7
External Elements
The external ornaments — the green ecclesiastical hat of a bishop and the bishop’s cross — indicate his position within the hierarchy of the Church. These heraldic elements were established by Pope Saint Paul VI in 1969.
A Reflection of Faith and Mission
Every symbol within Bishop Dabrowski’s Coat of Arms tells his faith and vocation story — shaped by his family of origin, nurtured by devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Divine Mercy, and strengthened by the protection of Saint Michael the Archangel.