New! St. Rita of Cascia - Holy Card - pack of 10/100/1000

St. Rita

Antique Holy Card – Anonymous Artist 

From one of the most beautiful holy cards we've ever seen, this portrait of St. Rita of Cascia (1381–1457) reflects the beauty and piety of her spirit, and shows some of the most famous events of her life. She was married young to a mean man, but through years of her praying for him, he returned to his Christian roots. After he died, she became an Augustinian nun. One time in deep prayer before a crucifix, the thorny crown of Christ was placed briefly on her head, and a single thorn wounded her forehead. In this picture, the angel is removing the crown and you can see the mark on her forehead. It was a partial stigmata and did not heal her during her lifetime. 

The beautiful border has bees, which one time during her infancy went in and out of her mouth without stinging her. It was interpreted as a sign of her future holiness, eloquence in prayer, and sweetness of soul (like honey). They also symbolize her patient, hard-working nature. The roses represent a rose she had asked for as she was dying from her family’s long-unused and snow-covered garden. Miraculously, one was found blooming there and was brought to her. The grapes symbolize her devotion to the Eucharist and to the fruitfulness of her prayers. 

Her prayers are fruitful. Many miracles have been attributed to her during and after her lifetime. Because of that, when she was canonized in 1900, the Church bestowed on her the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes." Her Feast Day is May 22. She is the patroness of other things, including difficult relationships, widows, and the sick. The text at the bottom of the card means, "O Glorious Saint Rita, intercede for us!" Amen!

I think the holy card maker was French, because the art is in that beautiful style they were using around the turn of the century. However, the phrase "O Gloriosa S. Rita intercedi per noi!" can be either Latin, or Italian, and so I think there's a slight chance it was an Italian artist copying the French. Also, the French publishers rarely used Latin. I think this is one of the most beautiful cards I've ever seen. I spend ten to twenty hours a week looking for new Catholic art for you, and for me, just because I love Catholic art. When I found this one, I was thrilled.

2.75x4.25" Holy Card

Matte finish 

Sturdy 14 point card stock 

Priced for distribution. 

Thanks for your interest in our Catholic art project!

Sue and John Johnson

St. Mary's Parish

Linicoln, Nebraska. 

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art."

– St. John Paul the Great, "Letter to Artists"

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - CatholicArtAndJewelry.