Written by McD

Our Shield

The shield of Bishop McDevitt High School is symbolic of the motive and the purpose of religious education as expressed in the motto: "Religione sapientia colitur," or "In Religion's Garden Grows Wisdom."

At the bottom of the shield, the Book of Wisdom, located in a golden field with Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega, the last letter, beginning and end of learning. In the middle of the great shield is the crescent which originally appeared in the arms of John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, and has been incorporated into the arms of the Diocese of Harrisburg.  Likewise, as a symbol of the Immaculate Conception, it should inspire Bishop McDevitt students to imitate the purity of our Lady.  Flanking the crescent are two silver discs taken from the arms of William Penn to designate the state of Pennsylvania.  Crowning the top of the seal is a golden star encircled by a laurel wreath in a field of blue, emblematic of our Lady as the seat of learning and wisdom.