"The symbolism of the mother pelican feeding her little baby pelicans
is rooted in an ancient legend which preceded Christianity. The legend
was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself,
striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood
to prevent starvation. Another version of the legend was that the
mother fed her dying young with her blood to revive them from death,
but in turn lost her own life.
Given this tradition, one can easily see why the early Christians adapted
it to symbolize our Lord, Jesus Christ. The pelican symbolizes Jesus
our Redeemer who gave His life for our redemption and the atonement
He made through His passion and death. We were dead to sin and have
found new life through the Blood of Christ. Moreover, Jesus continues
to feed us with His body and blood in the holy Eucharist. ...
Therefore, the image of the pelican is a strong reminder of our Lord,
who suffered and died for us to give us eternal life and who nourishes
us on our pilgrim way with the Holy Eucharist. May that image move
us to show the same charity and self-giving love toward all."
Saunders, Rev. William. "The Symbolism of the Pelican."
Arlington Catholic Herald.
Up for a treasure hunt? Check your Parish or Chapel
for a pelican. Teach someone the meaning!
GODHEAD HERE IN HIDING /ADORO TE DEVOTE
6th stanza - Words: St Thomas Aquinas, Translation: Gerard Manley Hopkins S.J.
Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what Thy bosom ran
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what Thy bosom ran
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.
A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU JEANETTE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS OF YESTERDAY. I HAVE BEEN TO ST. ROCH'S CHURCH IN ST. LOUIS AND DON'T REMEMBER SEEING THIS WINDOW, GUESS THAT I JUST MISSED IT.
ReplyDeleteTHE MESSAGE AND IMAGES POSTED TODAY ARE BEAUTIFUL. I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE IMAGE OF THE PELICAN FOR QUITE SOMETIME, AS IT IS THE COAT OF ARMS FOR MY PARISH, OUR LADY OF THE ATONEMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER OF THE GREAT LOVE AND SACRIFICE OUR DEAR LORD HAS FOR EACH ONE OF US. SADLY, TOO MANY TODAY JUST TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST OR MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T KNOW. I WISH PEOPLE WOULD SHOW MORE REFERENCE IN RECEIVING OUR LORDS PRECIOUS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY. A BLESSED DAY TO YOU! JOHN K.
Thanks for the comments. I received several private emails on this post too. Some had gone 'treasure hunting' in their parishes and discovered a Pelican. For others the image had been seen at times, but were now delighted to know the symbolism and connect it to the Eucharist. How beautiful that your parish has the image within the Coat of Arms. As for the precious gift of the Eucharist - yes, this is the impetus of my daily emails (and this blog which archives them) - to know, love and serve our Eucharistic Lord - more and more.
ReplyDeleteI did not know about the ancient Christian symbolism of the altar pelican until I received The Pelican Award from the New York Catholic Committee on Scouting. I asked the committee’s Chaplin Fr Barry about its meaning. When Fr Barry enlightened me, the wonderment and power of it overwhelmed me. The idea that my colleagues thought I was worthy of this image of Jesus unimaginable love for us children of God is still a humbling source of utmost gratitude these many years later.
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