The "P" of St. Paul becomes the shape of a sword. This is the symbol associated with St. Paul since he was martyred by being beheaded.

The shield has two fields: the left side has a black and white background of the Dominican shield. An open book is symbolic of intellectual life, both of the Dominicans and St. Paul which, as a university parish, has a primary mission to higher education at Indiana University.

The right side consists of two hearts and a wavy border. The shield of John Henry Newman had hearts in it and the wavy portion had originally been an indication of the divide between the heavenly and earthly realm; in this rendition this divide is absent, but used as a border implies movement in life.

"Cor ad cor loquitur" is John Newman's motto which is rendered, "Heart speaks to heart." It is the motto of campus ministry.

The two stars that encompass this motto are symbolic of love and truth, both which were crucial elements in the life and scholarship of St Thomas Aquinas.