crest

The rich symbolism of the crest is derived from the Order of St Benedict which established western monasticism and, in addition, evangelized the people of Europe after the fall of the Western Empire.

The Open Book of the scriptures with the Cross resting on it symbolises PRAYER; the Distaff (wool in the process of being spun), symbolises WORK.

PRAYER and WORK unite as the motivating force in the life of each religious Sister.

The Olive Branch above the Book is the symbol of PEACE - and PAX (Peace) is the interpretation of Christ's love in daily living.

The logo bears the Latin words:IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICETUR DEUS.

Every action, thought and desire of the religious sister is consecrated so that IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED.

The initial letters of the Latin phrase are used to denote it and the abbreviation is surmounted by a cross, thus I.O.+ G.D. This is inscribed on the foundation stone of a building and the sisters use it as a heading of their work, as the focal point of thought and motive.

The official title of the congregation is:
The Institute of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St. Benedict.

Archbishop Polding, himself a Benedictine of Downside, England, gave to the congregation he founded in Sydney the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict, and he wrote several chapters of the Rule into the first Directory of the Sisters.