The Fontbonne University seal contains elements that are representative of the University and the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
The fleur-de-lis, a French word for lily, is the symbol of the French royal family.
In the seal, the fleur-de-lis symbolizes the French origin of the Sisters of St. Joseph, founded in France in 1650.
The six fleurs-de-lis in the seal represent the first six Sisters who came to the United States in 1836.
The lily is also the signature of St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Latin words, "Virtus et Scientia," indicate the nature of Fontbonne's mission and can be translated as "virtue and knowledge," "valor and erudition," and "religion and scholarship."