The pelican and Christ...

"Jesus Lord, kind Pelican,

Cleanse my filth with Thy Blood.

One drop of which can save

The whole world from all its sin."

St Thomas Aquinas

"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."

Fr. William Saunders

"The Symbolism of the Pelican"

Arlington Catholic Herald

 

Render sacrifice to God; a sacrifice of gratitude,

O you wealthy ones; according to God's mercy!

Who is wealthy and with what; with that let him barter,

Everyone with his gift; let him, the Kingdom acquire.

Whoever is wealthy with money; let him money, offer,

Whoever is rich with wheat; wheat let him distribute,

To whom wisdom is given; others, let him teach,

To him whose hands are strong; let him perform service.

Whoever knows a trade; let him honorably uphold it,

Let him conscientiously consider himself as a debtor of God.

Let him, who knows how to sing; praise God,

Only he is small, who does not know God.

Whoever received what; with that let him serve,

With mercy toward men; let him repay God,

Not all are the same, nor do all possess the same,

But a pure heart, everyone could give to God.

O pureness of heart, a sacrifice most miraculous,

For salvation, you are the crucial virtue,

And on your sacrificial altar, your incense ascends,

Arrives before the Lord, faster than anything. "

St Nicolai Vilimirovich

Godhead Here in Hiding /Adoro Te Devote

6th stanza - Text: 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.

 

Up for a treasure hunt?  
Check your Parish or Chapel for a pelican. 
Teach someone the meaning!