And now for something that has absolutely nothing to do with the current news cycle.

I have been watching daily Mass Live Streamed from St Michael's Cathedral basilica since the quarantine began, ad I noticed a while back that our Archbishop, Thomas Cardinal Collins, has the same symbol on his vestments- it's the one in the centre picture below:




The picture comes from the website for St Peter Celestine Parish in Pakenham. It was thanks to them that I learned the meaning of the symbol.  I recognized elements of it, but I couldn't put it all together.

The Lamb, representing Christ, the Agnus Dei, holds the labarum, the flag of the Church Triumphant, as he sits upon a closed book- the book being the bible, and closed symbolizing that it has been fulfilled.  The whole sits atop a cloud, symbolizing heaven.  Seven seals hang from the book, referring to Revelations and the seven seals mentioned therein, also symbolizing that the book will be opened again, in the fullness of time.

So that solved the riddle of my cardinal's vestments.  Here's the link to the website for St Peter Celestine- it's worth a look, although the photos are not of the highest quality.  The church is a beautiful little church, and its walls and windows are absolutely covered with symbols and stories from our faith.  The website has a virtual tour which gives a very good explanation of the symbols, and how they are organized throughout the church.  It's worth a look.