The Keys represent the Keys of the Kingdom and also refer to the basilica being one of the pope’s churches.
The chi-tau symbol is a staurogram representing the salvation of Jesus Christ, and Christ as the Messiah.
The descending dove represents the Holy Spirit that is active in the world.
The Fleur de lis, which is actually a stylized lily, has three prongs that signify the Holy Trinity. The white lily is a symbol of the Virgin Mary or, equally, the state of purity and chastity attributed to her.
On the left side is one of the most fragrant flowers in Florida – the orange blossom. Millions of these white flowers perfume the air through central and south Florida during blossom time. This flower represents Florida and the tourist ministry, which was established by Bishop Thomas Grady in 1975.
On the right side is the shamrock, which St. Patrick used to describe the unity of the Trinity. This symbol for the Shrine’s crest was chose in honoring of the founding Rector and first tourist minister of Orlando, Monsignor Fachtna Joseph Harte, who was from Ireland.
The Rosary emphasizes the shrine’s first iconic M. The Rosary is made up of twenty “mysteries” (significant events or moments in the life of Jesus and Mary), which, following the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, are grouped into four series.
The Flight into Egypt is a biblical event described in the Gospel of Matthew in which the Holy Family fled to Egypt after a visit by the Magi. Their journey leads to them to a new land. This plight represents journey and pilgrimage.
The scallop shell located on the bottom of the crest, became the emblem of the pilgrims to the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostella, and subsequently of pilgrims in general.
Caritas Christi Urget Nos translates to The Love of Christ Compels Us.