Materials in this collection depict the Blessed Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, events in the life of Jesus and Mary, Marian titles, and Marian shrines. The collection also includes prayer cards, novenas, funeral cards, souvenir cards, ordination cards, handmade devotional cards, and other Catholic ephemera. Materials in this collection were typically used by Catholics in private devotion, purchased as souvenirs from Marian shrines or during pilgrimage to Catholic holy sites, or distributed to commemorate a Catholic sacrament or occasion. Selections from the holy card collection have been digitized and are available below.
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Fatima Angel of Peace holy card French holy card distributed by the Propagande du S. Cœur in Lyon, depicting the third visit of the Angel of Peace at Fatima. The angel offered the Eucharist to the three children, telling them to "Take and drink the body and blood of Jesus Christ, horribly outraged by ungrateful men. Repair their crimes and console your God." The back of the card contains an excerpt from "Le Prodige Inouïe de Fatima" by J. Castelbranco. -
Espousals of Mary & Joseph Holy card by artist Jacques Gouppy; depicts the espousal of Mary and Joseph. -
Child Mary Presented in Temple Holy card by artist Jacques Gouppy; depicts the presentation of Mary in the temple. -
Blue Army prayer leaflet Leaflet from the Blue Army containing prayers for the conversion of Russia. The cover of this leaflet depicts the Virgin Mary, holding a rosary and standing above an oak tree. A halo around her head says "Russia will be converted." The inside of the leaflet contains information about the Blue Army of Our Lady, including the Blue Army pledge and a mail-in form to join the Blue Army. The back of the leaflet contains a morning offering prayer. -
Ascension Holy card featuring 14th century artwork from Italy depicting the ascension of Jesus Christ. -
Ascension Holy card depicting the ascension of Jesus Christ. -
Ascension Holy card by artist J. Gouppy depicting the ascension. -
After Pentecost: Mary Receives Communion Holy card by artist Jacques Gouppy; depicts Mary receiving Communion after Pentecost. -
Fate of the World holy card Canadian holy card depicting Our Lady of Fatima as a force against Communism. The illustration shows the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a rosary over a globe turned to show Russia and Europe, and flags from the United States, France, and Canada. The back of the card has two prayers: a "Prayer for Peace" and "Prayer for Those in Active Service." The card was printed in Canada and distributed by the Rosary Center in Montreal. -
Pray Very Much holy card Holy card depicting the appearnace of the Virgin Mary to the three children at Fatima. The front includes a quotation from Mary's words to the children. The back of this card is blank. -
Our Lady of Fatima holy card Holy card depicting the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the three children at Fatima. The back of the card contains a prayer to Our Lady of Fatima. This card was distributed by Father Joseph Cacella of the Sodality of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. -
National Fatima Club membership card Membership card for the National Fatima Club, sponsored by the National Mariology Commission in the 1950s. The back of the card contains a listing of the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the rosary, and a prayer to be said after each decade of the rosary.