Bishop Mark Hagemoen

PAX, SERVITUS, SPES – “Peace, Service, Hope”

– Bishop Hagemoen’s Motto

Born and raised in Vancouver, after completing his undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts) at the University of British Columbia, and a year of travel throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, Mark Hagemoen entered St. Peter’s Seminary in London Ontario, completing his Masters of Divinity degree in 1990. He was ordained in Vancouver by Bishop Lawrence Sabatini on behalf of Archbishop James F. Carney in May 1990. His pastoral assignments included ten years as the Director of the Office of Youth Ministry, and several pastorships.

He completed the National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies and the Diploma for Advanced Studies in Ministry in 1997. He earned a Doctor of Ministry program at Trinity Western University, which he completed in 2007. In December 2007, he was honoured by Pope Benedict XVI, who recognized him as “Prelate of Honour” for his work in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Beginning in 2004, he was appointed for the Archdiocese of Vancouver to several administrative roles, including: Vicar of Pastoral Services; Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar General. He was appointed principal of St. Mark’s and president of Corpus Christi Colleges in 2011. He also served on a number of church, school, and other not-for-profit boards and committees.

On October 15, 2013, Pope Francis named Most Rev. Mark Hagemoen as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie -Fort Smith. He was installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon on November 23, 2017. Bishop Hagemoen currently serves on several committees of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and here in Saskatoon the boards of Emmanuel Health Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation, and Sanctum House.

A joyful installation celebration for the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was held Thursday, Nov. 23 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. News coverage of Installation celebration:   Installation celebration for Saskatoon’s eighth bishop

Coat of Arms:

Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s Coat of Arms / Bishop’s Crest and Motto: Pax-Servitus-Spes

The Golden Sun and Earth depicted at the top and bottom of the Coat of Arms recalls the vision and hope of “…a new heaven and a new earth” (cf Rev. 21:1). The golden sun, a prominent feature of the prairie sky, also recalls Lumen Gentium – Jesus Christ, the light to all the nations: from Luke 1: 78-79  – “…the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Eight gold rays represent the Beatitudes. This feature also links to Bishop Hagemoen’s appointment under the papacy of Pope Francis, who augmented his papal motto by adding an eight-pointed star.

Line with Two Peaked Angles – refers to Bishop Hagemoen’s birthplace in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and his love of hiking in the Coastal Mountains – specifically in the areas of the twin peaks known as The Lions.

Mountains form an “M”, for Mary – signifies Mary, the Mother of God and Star of the New Evangelization, and the Marian dimension of the Church and a bishop’s spirituality.

Winged Lion with the Scriptures – is a reference to Bishop Hagemoen’s first name, as this image represents St. Mark the Evangelist. The lion faces east towards the rising sun.

Sword – the traditional symbol of St. Paul, who is the patron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. The sword also recalls the responsibility to proclaim God’s Word in all things to God’s people (see Heb. 4:12).

Wheat Sheafs – six in all, for the six days of creation – are golden as at harvest time, and represent the Saskatchewan prairies under vast skies. Jesus speaks of his own life and mission in terms of the grain of wheat which falls to the ground and dies, and bears much fruit (cf John 12:24). Wheat is also a symbol of the Eucharist: the Lord invites God’s hungry people to receive His life-giving presence and to be transformed in the One Who is true food (cf John 6:55) as we receive and share His life for all.

Wavy Blue Lines– represents the Saskatchewan River – derived from the Cree work ‘kisiskaciwanisipay’ meaning ‘swift-flowing river’. This river system was a key geographical link for the Indigenous prairie people, and is one of the longest rivers in Canada. This also represents the journey of God’s people through this earthly life to our Kingdom home.

Motto: PAX, SERVITUS, SPES means “Peace, Service, Hope”– The meaning is Trinitarian: The Father is the author of all creation, who restores all to a peace of harmonious wholeness and life; the Son, Jesus Christ — King and Lord of all — is the incarnate ultimate servant, who gives His life for God’s people; the Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in today’s world directing to renewed hope by the way of reconciliation, healing, and ongoing conversion

Hat with Six Tasselson the sides is emblematic of the episcopal office, and is present on every Roman Catholic Bishop’s coat of arms.

Processional Cross backdrop of a Bishop’s Coat of Arms– this version includes the Chi Rho: the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, which symbolize the status of Jesus Christ as Saviour of the world, and also invokes His crucifixion.