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The image of the pelican undneath the tabernacle has its orgins in the culture of Classical Greece. According to tradition, the mother pelican would cut herself with her beak so that her chicks could survive by receiving nourishment from her blood. With the advent of Christianity this image was adopted as a symbol for the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross of which we partake in Holy Communion.
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The letters IHS, seen in various locations throughout this church and many others, is actually a monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus, being the first three letters of His name in Greek (IHSUS).
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This image, seen here on one of the benches in the sanctuary, is also Greek, being the first two letters of Christ in that language (XPISTOS). On either side are the Greek letters alpha (A) and Omega (W), the first and last letters of that alphabet (cf. Rev. 21:6).
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This image is found on the tabernacle door in the shrine of St. Pius X; it shows the Crucifixion. Behind the cross are seen the sponge on a stick that was raised to Christ (cf. Jn. 19:29-30), and the spear with which the soldier opened the side of Christ (cf. Jn 19:33-34).
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