The design of the crest of Lumen Civitatis, which is Latin for "Light of the City", was inspired by a Marian ornament found in a Dominican breviary, and it includes a multitude of emblems from the Coats of Arms of four recent popes: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.
The shape of the cross, a key emblem of the crest of St. Pope John Paul II, is also apparent within the Lumen Civitatis crest, recognizing the most important symbol of our Christian witness. The small silhouette of the Crucifix of San Damiano references the patronage of St Francis of Assisi and our commitment to build up the Church by proclaiming the Gospel.
The Fleur de Lis, prominent on the crest of Pope Paul VI, represent the Blessed Virgin, the Trinity, and the three-fold focus of Lumen Civitatis upon culture, education, and leadership, and reference the patronage of St Catherine of Siena.
The scallop shell represents our pilgrimage toward God and the ineffability of the Holy Trinity and references the patronage of St Augustine.
The blazing sun refers to the pursuit of wisdom and the patronage of St Thomas Aquinas, who is typically depicted with a blazing sun on his chest.
The Latin inscription encircling the city is from Ps 36:9 in the Vulgate: "For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light do we see light."
The image of the city is a rendering of the mosaic of the City of God in Charlemagne's chapel in the Aachen Cathedral. The city is situated inside the blazing sun in reference to Zechariah 2:5: "For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her."