The Bishop Ryan Catholic School Coat of Arms is based upon the personal crest of Bishop Vincent J. Ryan, the namesake of the school. Known as the "Building Bishop", Bishop Ryan was installed as the second bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck in 1940, serving the diocese for the next 11 years. His tenure saw the construction of 69 church buildings across the diocese, and his last speech from his deathbed launched the movement to build and establish the St. Therese, Church of the Little Flower parish and school in Minot.
The left side of Bishop Ryan's coat of arms designates the Diocese of Bismarck. It is composed of a silver or white cross with a circular center, known as a cross nowy, on a field of blue. This cross of faith honors Mary, the Immaculate Conception and the patroness of the United States. In the center is a black moline cross, a symbol common to Benedictine heraldry and used here to honor Bishop Vincent Wehrle, OSB, a Benedictine and the first Bishop of Bismarck.
On the upper left is a gold or yellow trefoil that has a silver or white oak leaf radiating out from between each petal. This emblem was the symbol of the Bismarck family and honors those for whom the See City is named.
The right side of the shield pays honor to the Ryan family coat of arms. Its red field features three griffins, mythological creatures with the head of an eagle (the king of birds) and the body of a lion (the king of beasts). Griffins symbolize valor, death-defying bravery and vigilance. The added flaming heart represents intense, burning affection.
The gold processional cross is placed behind the shield. The green pontifical gallero, the green tassels, the mitre, and the crosier surrounding the shield represent the office of the bishop.
The motto at the bottom recalls Bishop Ryan's personal motto: "Above All Things, Charity." Below the scroll is our school mascot, a lion, the king of beasts and a symbol of bravery, strength, valor, dignity and royalty.