The mirror of simple souls

The text above represents a library call number. In the Library of Congress system, "BV" refers to Practical Theology, with this specific range often covering books on Christian asceticism and mysticism.

Franciscan Order A Catholic religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century, Heraldry The practice of designing and displaying coats of arms, BV 5080 The classification for works on the history and theory of Christian life and mysticism, Stigmata Bodily marks or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ, Cross-bearing orb original: "globus cruciger"; a symbol of Christ's authority over the world, Library of Congress classification The system used by many research libraries to organize their collections

Description of the Central Emblem

The center of the volume is adorned with a gold-stamped heraldic shield of the Franciscan Order. It features a central cross behind two crossed arms. One arm is bare, representing the arm of Christ, and the other is clothed in a sleeve of a religious habit, representing the arm of Saint Francis. Both hands display the stigmata the sacred wounds. Below these arms sits a cross-bearing orb symbolizing the global reach of the faith, and the entire shield is surrounded by a celestial field of stars.