"Living Bread that giveth all Thy creatures breath
grant my spirit ever by Thy life may live
to my taste Thy sweetness never failing give.
Pelican of Mercy, Jesus Lord and God,
cleanse me wreched sinner in Thy Precious Blood
where one drop for human kind out poured
might from all transgression have the world restored."
(from: Adoro te Devote, the ancient Eucharistic Hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas)
Early Christian tradition tells us that when famine would strike, mater pelican averted the starvation of her young by shedding her own blood, sacrificing herself to give them life. So has Blessed Lord Jesus, sacrificed Himself, shedding His Holy Blood to give us Eternal Life. The Pelican of Mercy is a most beautiful Christian symbol of Christ's love.