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SWORD

A symbol appropriate to St. Paul because of his keen teaching and the manner of his death. The sword of the spirit was interpreted as the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). It is the emblem of the Holy Spirit's gift of fortitude and the sumbol of St. Michael, recalling his encounter with Lucifer. It is also an emblem of St. James the Greater and St. Jude.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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