Patrick James Donahue
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Born: April 15, 1849 Bishop of Wheeling, 1894-1922 |
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| English | Azure, a pelican in her piety argent. Motto: Caritas Christi urget nos |
Origin/meaning
The Pelican in her piety is one of the most widely used and most striking symbols in Christianity. A pelican is shown plucking open her breast, feeding her young with her own blood. In times bf famine, the female pelican is supposed to tear open her breast and feed her young with her own life blood; she dies in order that they may live. In like manner Our Lord died upon the Cross that we may live.
The motto is taken from the Second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle, to the Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 14.
Literature: Brassard, 1962
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