The Giving

The Giving explores the ancient Christian image of the pelican as a symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love and the Eucharist. For centuries, Christian art has depicted the mother pelican wounding her own breast to nourish her young with her blood—an image understood as a reflection of Christ giving His own body and blood so that others may have life. At the center, the pelican bends over her young as drops of blood fall toward the nest. Above her, the radiant IHS identifies the sacrifice with Christ, while the shepherd and his flock in the distance echo Christ as the Good Shepherd—the One who lays down His life for His sheep. The surrounding wings form an almost protective sanctuary around the young, while the nest becomes both a place of vulnerability and a place of provision. The flowers and living landscape soften the imagery of sacrifice with signs of life, suggesting that what is poured out in love is not ultimately lost, but becomes the source of new life. The Giving is an image of love expressed not through possession, but through self-offering: to give of oneself so that another may live.