Unusual Altar Symbol

[Chesterton]

On EWTN I saw a symbol which I'd never seen before on an altar cloth. It was a large white bird and it looked like it was feeding drops of blood to smaller white birds. I don't know the name of the program or the Church it was in. It wasn't the chapel where they show "Daily Mass", it was a larger church with lots of gold, and I've seen it a few times on EWTN. Anyone know what that symbol of the birds is?

 

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

That doesn't sound legit.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

On EWTN I saw a symbol which I'd never seen before on an altar cloth. It was a large white bird and it looked like it was feeding drops of blood to smaller white birds. I don't know the name of the program or the Church it was in. It wasn't the chapel where they show "Daily Mass", it was a larger church with lots of gold, and I've seen it a few times on EWTN. Anyone know what that symbol of the birds is?

Was the large white bird a dove, which represents the Holy Spirit?

Jim

 

[AMDG]

A Pelican--feeding it's young from the blood of it's breast. It's an ancient Christian symbol.

http://www.catholic-saints.info/catholic-symbols/pelican-christian-symbol.htm

 

[Chesterton]

A Pelican--feeding it's young from the blood of it's breast. It's an ancient Christian symbol.

Pelican Christian Symbol

Ah, that must be it. It didn't look like a dove, more like a pelican. Thank you, I was unfamiliar with that.

 

[Rhamiel]

in ancient stories it was said that Pelicans would cut into their own chests to feed their children in times of famine
i have never seen it in an alter but it is part of the stain glass window at one of my local parishes
also i have seen it in wood working in other churches

 

[Rhamiel]

here is something i found online

 

[Chesterton]

here is something i found online

Yeah it was a lot like that.

 

[Rhamiel]

just a symbol of sacrifice

 

[JoabAnias]

Was this the Church?

This is the Shrine EWTN - Mother Angelica built in Alabama.

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

 

[Chesterton]

Was this the Church?

This is the Shrine EWTN - Mother Angelica built in Alabama.

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Not certain, but yes, that looks a lot like it.

 

[JoabAnias]

Not certain, but yes, that looks a lot like it.

If it wasn't the small chapel they have daily Mass in thats on TV, this is the only other place I have seen a Mass on EWTN unless they are televising something from the National Basilica or doing a Lenten tour of all the Basilicas in and around Rome or the Pope is speaking from where-ever he is.

If you saw any shots of the nuns off to the right behind a grate and the whole place had marble floors then I'd be fairly certain it was the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament at the cloister and monastery in Hanceville AL.

Take note of the Christ Child statue in the piazza. I think the story goes that Mother Angelica had that commissioned from a vision she had of the Christ Child holding his heart.

 

[Colin]

From Thomas Aquinas' hymn Adoro Te Devote : " Pie pellicane Jesu Domine . "

 

[Chesterton]

If you saw any shots of the nuns off to the right behind a grate and the whole place had marble floors then I'd be fairly certain it was the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament at the cloister and monastery in Hanceville AL.

Yes I remember marble floors with colored patterns. That must be it.

I like watching EWTN. Until we decide on the validity of innovations such as electricity and TV satellites, it's the "next best thing". (just kidding folks)

 

[JoabAnias]

Yes I remember marble floors with colored patterns. That must be it.

I like watching EWTN. Until we decide on the validity of innovations such as electricity and TV satellites, it's the "next best thing". (just kidding folks)

Dang that heterogoxy of Edison. Tesla should have won out.

 

[Davidnic]

The Pelican feeding her young on her blood one of the most ancient symbols for Christ, I have seen beautiful renditions of this on vestments. I believe scholars have dated it's use to about the second century.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

A Pelican--feeding it's young from the blood of it's breast. It's an ancient Christian symbol.

Pelican Christian Symbol

This is really interesting, never heard of this before nor was I aware of such practices of pelicans either.

 

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

Is the symbol over the altar stone on the altar cloth? If so, it might not be allowed.

 

[AMDG]

Is the symbol over the altar stone on the altar cloth? If so, it might not be allowed.

If it *is* the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament at Hanceville, then the Pelican symbol is on the altar front--not on the white altar cloth.

 

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

TC said it was on the altar cloth.