We found this vintage holy card so charming and delightful, we decided to clean it up and make prints of it. The French title at the bottom translates, "Souvenir of Our Lady of Lourdes," meaning it must have been distributed in shops in the town of Lourdes at some point in history!
We love the warmth of this homey image, the colors, the precise gentleness of the two figures. We love the representation of the scene, how it portrays an intimacy between the two figures usually not shown in art about Lourdes.
The scene is of February 25, 1858, when the as-yet unidentified “lady,” during the fifth of her seventeen visits, has 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous dig in the dirt at the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes, France. She digs, and a miraculous stream of water pours forth, which still flows and heals people to this day.
The image invites us in with Bernadette and Our Lady, a symbol of the closeness and love of Heaven.
Our Lady of Lourdes is patroness of bodily ills, sick people, and protection from diseases.
Feast Day: February 11
8.5 x 11 acid-free paper, printed with archival ink rated to last generations when kept dry and out of the direct sun. There is about an inch-and-a-third of white space around the picture. Cardboard backer. Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag. Comes with above story.
IMPORTANT!!! The image is smaller than the paper.
Standard size. Easy to find a ready-made frame at your local Hobby Lobby. If you're sending this as a gift and would like us to frame it for you, please convo and we'll make special arrangements for you.
Text and Image Alterations © Sue Kouma Johnson
You might also be interested in original Catholic art and jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, available all over this shop! Thanks!