The herald of the USL emblem blends the SWORD and the SHIELD, symbolizing the virtue of fortitude.  The sword thrusts forward toward individual and community development, the goals of education.

The LILY, symbolizing the virtue of integrity, and the CROSS, representing Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are wielded by the shield.

The prime products of Cagayan, CORN and RICE (stalks), depict USL’s commitment to contribute to the development of the Cagayan Province and Cagayan Valley Region.

The colors Blue and White, the colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary, signify the love and life of a dedicated person close to Christ.

The letters C.I.C.M. in the Shield are Latin initials for Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, or in English, Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. CICM is an international Catholic religious congregation that founded University of Saint Louis in keeping with her educational mission and apostolate.

Thus, USL, a community of learners seeking to be leaders of human progress, provides not only an academic but also a Christian atmosphere where values are developed.  This atmosphere makes learning a process of building a human person dedicated towards the service of community, country and God—the embodiment of the USL motto:  WISDOM BUILDS.

THE MOTTO: WISDOM BUILDS
(Sapientia Aedificat)

The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. The University of Saint Louis, as a Catholic educational institution embodies the conviction that wisdom, borne out of genuine reverence and love for God, builds up our persons. (We have an expression “God-fearing person” which means that this person will not do anything to offend God and one’s neighbor, will not do anything against one’s own conscience.) Expressing it in a positive way, a God-fearing person does God’s will, and contributes to the well-being of the whole community. This is Wisdom in the Old Testament – Solomon’s search for the will of God, personified by Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfillment of God’s will and revelation in the context of the Covenant community.

Thus, in today’s terms, “Wisdom Builds” means that the attitude and the actions that express the obedience to God and the love and compassion toward one’s neighbors will contribute to the betterment of one’s self and one’s community.  Every Louisian built in wisdom is called to become builder of the Church and Society.