The Pelican in Her Piety

Christ as the Pelican

There are many majestic and regal animals used in sacred art in the history of the Church. Of all the animals in creation one might consider for that list, it might come as a surprise to find that one of the most ancient and popular is the Pelican. The legend of the Pelican predates Christianity, but finds its first written account around the 2nd century A.D. in a Christian bestiary called Physiologus in Alexandria, Egypt. The book compiles different legends of creatures, some mythical and real, with an added description of the symbolic tie-ins to Christianity. Among the tales of Phoenixes and Unicorns, you can read the account of the Pelican in Her Piety.]: 

"The little pelicans strike their parents, and the parents, striking back, kill them. But on the third day the mother pelican strikes and opens her side and pours blood over her dead young. In this way they are revivified and made well. So Our Lord Jesus Christ says also through the prophet Isaiah: I have brought up children and exalted them, but they have despised me (Is 1:2). We struck God by serving the creature rather than the Creator. Therefore He deigned to ascend the cross, and when His side was pierced, blood and water gushed forth unto our salvation and eternal life." Physiologus 6

The legend of the Mother Pelican feeding her children her own flesh and blood to restore them to life beautifully evokes the gift Jesus gives us of himself in the Eucharist. Inspired by this beautiful and ancient symbol, our community will place the Pelican in Her Piety on the front facing side of our altar. By doing so we hope to continue to inspire future generations to a deeper devotion to Jesus in the Eucharistic feast that binds our St. Ann family together in his sacrificial love. 

Written by: Matthew Cantrell