The FECAMDS logo has two concentric circles – circles that arise from the
same origin. At that origin is the Chalice and Bread – Christ’s blood and body –
which the Catechism describes as the “source and summit” of our lives (CCC 1324)
and “sum and summary” of our faith.
The two circles speak to different aspects of sameness: the inner and smaller
speaks to our spirituality; the outer and larger speaks to our physicality – the work
we do among men and women.

Now, the inner circle is smaller as it is less visible – if at all visible – to the
world. Its size does not make it less important or less consequential. The outer circle
is the product of the inner, in a way that small invisible nutrients relate to the
splendour and tastiness of the visible fruit.
The inner circle is neatly divided into quadrants by no greater symbol than the
cross – that which we must pick up in followership of Christ should we desire eternal
life; that which is makes our faith and life a Christocentric one, a faith and life that
has Christ – body and blood – at its centre.

The tips of the quadrants point to the Chalice and Bread, the Sacrament
instituted in the New Testament, the Christ whose suffering guarantees salvation.
Importantly, the two yellow quadrants also point in the same direction.Yellow is the brightest colour of the visible spectrum. It is used in art to draw
attention to that which must not be missed by an appreciator of art. And what better item to draw the attention of all except that which is our source and summit, sum
and summary?

The first symbol at the bottom of the cross is distinctly medical and is one of
the most provocative images in the Old Testament. It features in the story where
snakes snatched the innocence of man and only by looking up to Moses and his staff
of snake was that innocence to be restored and life guaranteed. The restoration is
what medical practitioners have done throughout the ages.

The third symbol, towering above the second (that is, the Chalice and Bread),
is a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. As h earthly existence neared an end, Christ
promised a paraclete that would accompany Christians throughout their earthly
journeys, even as the books of the New Testament were soon to be closed. And so it is
that the healing mission that started in the Old Testament, progressed to the Great
Physician of the New Testament, and now continues to the present, where the Holy
Spirit inspires the healing actions of men and women.

“Christian, recognise your dignity, and that you share in God’s own nature”
This was the battle cry of St Leo the Great. It is the battle cry of the outer of the two
circles. Anyone who has dwelt with God in the inner circle must recognise his dignity
and enter the second circle by being as God, serving humanity and being excellent.

“Excel in all that you do” is the admonition of Ben Sira, “bring no stain upon
your honour” (Sirach 33:23). The Christian’s honour is the share he has in God’s
nature, including God’s nature of healing and restoring.
And when the inner and outer circles have been absorbed so utterly, the
Christian medical practitioner would say as St Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race” (II Timothy 4:7).
And to that, the whole FECAMDS logo – resplendent with silver – would be
the silverware that the faithful ones would win.