Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine
Monsignor Monaghan’s contribution to our school was celebrated during Monday night’s Carol Service and Christmas Concert.
Below is an introduction written and delivered by Eva Marie Curran.
I have the great honour of introducing a piece of music “Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine”. This has been composed by Tony Swainson and is dedicated to Monsignor Monaghan for his unstinting love and devotion to the pupils, parents and staff of St Ninian’s High School.
Before you hear this wonderful composition, I would like to outline the significance of the reference to the Pelican. Indeed, before Christianity, ancient legend described the mother pelican wounding herself to feed her dying young with her blood to revive them, but in turn losing her own life.
This sacrifice has been adapted by Christians to symbolise how Jesus continues to feed us with his body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. Monsignor Thomas Monaghan has a special devotion to St Thomas Aquinas, the Patron Saint of twins, since he is one. Fittingly, St Thomas Aquinas, when writing the Latin hymn, “Adoro te devote”, references the pelican. The Priest and poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins translates it as:
“Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican;
Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what Thy bosom ran-
Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.”
The significance of this hymn is that, unlike many other prayers, we are addressing Jesus directly. Throughout history, literature has referenced the striking devotion of the Pelican and is seen as a metaphor for the love of Jesus.
John 3:16 says “The image of the Pelican is a striking reminder for us that the Lord, who suffered and died for us and nourishes us on our pilgrim way with the Eucharist, loves us very much.” Mr Swainson has created a contemporary melody with the original Latin text along with orchestral accompaniment in a style relevant to the music students here at St Ninian’s High School.
We thank Mr Swainson for this wonderful contribution and we pray that Monsignor Monaghan will take great satisfaction from this beautiful composition and will appreciate it as a mark of the love, admiration, and gratitude which we all share for his immeasurable service to our wonderful school.
