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Bread and Wine/Wheat and Grapes: Because of the bread and wine
they produce, the symbols of wheat and grapes are often used to
designate the Eucharist. Bread is the basic food of every culture and
of every age in human history. A meal, in which bread is broken and
shared, becomes a means of bonding human beings together. Jesus
called Himself the "Bread of Life." Following His command, in faith
The lily represents purity, chastity, innocence, and St. Gabriel's
we take and eat this Bread, His Body, and become one with Him.
trumpet, and is a symbol of Our Lady and used to depict the purity
From ancient times wine is associated with banquets, joy and
of the Saints, especially SS. Joseph, Francis, Clare, Anthony of
celebration, a gift of God to gladden our hearts. The grapes, like the
Padua, and Catherine of Siena. In America, it has become, too, a
grains of wheat used for bread, are fruits of the earth and give of
symbol of the Resurrection. Legend says that lilies originated with
themselves in order that we might celebrate and be glad. The wine
Eve's tears when the first couple was banished from the Garden of
which becomes His Precious Blood, speaks to us of giving and of
Eden. Other legend says that they sprang up from the ground when
sacrifice in order that we might enjoy the benefits of His love in the
drops of blood fell to the foot of the Cross. It is interesting that
banquet which is the foretaste of heavenly joy.
these two legends exist, because Christ, the New Adam, wipes
away the tears of the children of Eve who became the children of
IHS: IHS stands for the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek.
Mary when Christ gave her to us, through John, from the Cross.
Mary herself is symbolized also by another lily, lilium candidum,
or the Madonna Lily.
Resurrexit vere! Christus
resurrexit!
Truly, He is Risen!
Christ is Risen!