Flower of Devotion

When, one day, after receiving Holy Communion, St. Gertrude was engaged in pious meditation, the Lord appeared to her in the form of a pelican, as it is usually depicted in paintings, that is, piercing its heart with its beak. As a result, she asked Him, surprised,
“What wilt thou know, O Lord, by this?” To this the Lord answered,
“That you may reflect on how violent love moves Me to give away this sublime gift. For I would cry out, if I could say so, rather die than deny this gift to souls who love Me.
In addition to this, you should also consider how well your soul is reborn to eternal life by accepting this gift; like a young pelican it feeds and lives on the blood of its father’s heart.”