• Oblate Mission in Cotabato City
The smaller upper compartment of the escutcheon is equally divided into:
The upper side,superimposed with the coat of arms of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the congregation that founded the University, is a field of blue, symbolic of Our Mary Immaculate to whom the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation was dedicated by its founder. The Cross of the OMI coat of arms is the cross of the Catholic faith.
The left side of the upper compartment depicts a stone fort in white field symbolizing the city of Cotabato, the seat of Notre Dame University.
• Mission of the University
The main section of the escutcheon consists of twenty-one green and white stripes superimposed at the center with an open book lighted by a torch.
The twenty-one stripes represent the years Notre Dame had been a collegebefore it earned a university status.
Green and white are the official colors ofthe University symbolizing peace and hope within its sway.
The open book with the burning torch symbolizes the mission of the University to spread light of faith and knowledge of truth.
Inscribed in the book is the OMI motto Evangelize Pauperibus Misit Me Pauperes Evangelizantur (He sent to share the good news with the poor. The poor are being evangelized.)
• Faith, Hope, Charity, Wisdom
Above the shield are three stars standing for the three virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity - the bases of pure Christian life, the ideal of Notre Dame Unversity.
Overarching the stars is the University motto Sedes Sapientiae (seat of wisdom), one of the many titles attributed to Our Lady, Notre Dame, patroness of the University.
