The coat of arms of the St. Norbert Abbey of Jamtara is rich both in symbol and meaning. It is so designed so as to bring into focus the origin, growth and mission of the new abbey.
The STAR stella in Oriente Star in the East embedded in water is indicative of the location of the Abbey on the Banks of the river Gaur in Jamtara, the main home of the Conferrers of St. Norbert Abbey.
The Star also signifies the mission of the Abbey as communicated in the motto ‘COMMUNIO’ ‘Mil Jhul Ker’ (in Hindi) it was the star that led the Magi to Christ. Through this event was manifested the universality of Salvation and the good news that was for all human kind.
The new Abbey is specially called to communicate the universality of Christ and His message in India, a land divided by cast, creed and languages. The members in and through their common life and apostolates are called to witness to a unity in the richness of diversity.
The Crest (drawn from the Coat of arms of the Abbey of Berne, Heeswijk, Holland) embedded in the peacock (The Indian National Bird) symbolizes the country in which the spirit of Berne has been planted. The new Abbey of Jamtara owes its origin to the missionary zeal and fervour of Abbey of Berne. Deep within the hearts of every Indian Norbertine will continue to linger the spirit and life of Berne.
THE COAT OF ARMS OF ST. NORBERT ABBEY
The flames within the feathers of the peacock symbolize the ‘Hospitality’ characteristic of the Indian People and special charism of the Norbertine Community all over the world.
The wheat symbolizes the Eucharist, which is the centre of Community life and the source of Christian Unity and Communion. The lilles seen in the three lower arms of the star are taken from the Coat of arms of the Norbertine Order. This symbolizes the unity of the new Abbey with the members of the Order throughout the World. In the upper three arms of the star are seen, a mitre, a portion of the symbol of ‘YESU KHRIST JAYANTI 2000’ and a staff. This is to symbolize that the Canonry of Jamtara became an Abbey during the great Jubilee year 2000 of Jesus Birth.
