Our Cross

The official emblem for all FSE associations is a red maltese cross with eight points and a golden fleur-de-lis. This choice was not made by chance. The FSE was founded on All Saints’ Day 1956. In the Gospel for the Feast of All Saints in the Roman Rite (in both Extraordinary and Ordinary Forms) the Church solemnly proclaims the eight beatitudes to the whole world. For the FSE, the beatitudes are symbolised by the eight points of our emblem.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell himself chose the fleur-de-lys as the symbol of the international scouting movement.

“The actual meaning to be read from the fleur-de-lys badge is that it points in the right direction (and upwards) turning neither to the right nor left, since these lead backward again. The three points of the fleur-de-lys remind the Scout of the three points of the Scout’s Promise—Duty to God and King, Helpfulness to other people, and Obedience to the Scout Law.”
— Lord Robert Baden-Powell

The red color of the cross is symbolic of the blood Our Savior shed on the Cross for us, while the golden color of the fleur-de-lys symbolizes the Light of Christ. The eight points of the Maltese Cross symbolize the Eight Beatitudes with which Our Lord opened the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10):

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
  • Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
  • Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
  • Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Standard called the Baussant

The word “Baussant” was the name the Knights Templar gave to their standard, which they carried in the crusades. Our Baussant is based on theirs, and it reminds us of our knightly ideals: duty, devotion, purity. For our forebears in the Middle Ages, this flag was the symbol of absolute Truth. Formerly, in Palestine and in Europe of the Crusades – that great movement setting out to liberate our fellow Christians from brutality, violent occupation and slavery – the Baussant was paraded in the forefront of troop. All other ensigns, banners and emblems of princes, royalty and nations, were subordinated to this great emblem that represented one’s fight for and alongside Our Lord Jesus Christ. The black and white represent the fight between good and evil.

The Coat of Arms

The FNE coat-of-arms features first and foremost the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to which our FSE movement is dedicated, surrounded by the crown of thorns. In the upper left is a six-pointed star, representing Our Lady as the Immaculate Conception and Patroness of the United States of America. In the upper right is the trillium, a North American wildflower in the lily family, representing both St. Joseph, the patron of Canada, and Ontario — of which it is the provincial flower — where our FNE association was first founded.

The three symbols on our arms, taken together, represent the Holy Family, in particular the devotion of FNE to the Holy Family as a model and protector of the family in this day and age where it is under constant assault. The red chevron represents the Blood of Christ and the martyrs who shed their blood for the Faith, together with three fleurs-de-lys of our FSE movement. The fleur-de-lys is one of the most ancient symbols of Christendom — from the Byzantine Empire, where it was a symbol of royalty and prosperity, to Lombard France, where Our Lord Jesus Christ asked the kings to put it on their flags as a sign of public recognition of His Social Kingship. The fleur-de-lys of our movement is placed here three times to represent the Holy Trinity, and on the chevron of Christ’s Blood that we may live by His example, sustained by His Body and Blood, totally oriented toward God.

The upper field of the arms is blue, representing the mantle of Our Lady who, by her motherly affection and protection, watches over and protects our movement. All who wear these arms devote themselves as sons and daughters of Christendom to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.