Seal of Office

A seal of office is used on formal documents and/or as visual branding for an organization. Seals signify that a document is official and has the (literal and figurative) stamp of approval of a person or organization. To date, Misericordia has had three seals.

1924-1957

This first seal recognizes the role of the Sisters of Mercy as the founders of College Misericordia. The legend (the text surrounding the central graphic emblem) significantly locates the College at Villa St. Teresa, the Sisters’ new motherhouse. The central emblem is a cross, across which a banner emblazoned with the word “Mercy” is draped.

From the foot of the cross grows lilies of the valley, also known as May lilies, Our Lady’s Tears, or Eve’s Tears. In Christian iconography, lilies of the valley typically symbolize the tears Mary shed at Christ’s crucifixion or a sign of the second coming of Christ. Finally, the original motto of College Misericordia “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” surrounds the cross—”For the Greater Glory of God.”

1957-2007

The seal used between 1957 and 2007 featured College Misericordia’s coat of arms, an important step in branding the institution after nearly thirty-five years in business. The emphasis on the relationship between the Sisters' motherhouse and the College is no longer included in the legend, but is apparent in the complex symbolism of the institution’s coat of arms.

2007-Present

Misericordia gained university status in 2007 and changed its name from College Misericordia to Misericordia University. The official seal remained the same with the school’s coat of arms, but the legend (the text surrounding the graphic emblem) was changed to “Misericordia University.”