Antique 1891 Holy Robe of Trier Devotional Card | Heilige Rock | Original German Prayer Card

A beautiful original 1891 German Catholic devotional card commemorating the veneration of the Holy Robe of Christ at Trier Cathedral.

The front depicts the Holy Robe of Jesus Christ beneath the IHS monogram and floral decoration.

The original German inscription reads:

“Der heilige Rock unseres Herrn Jesu Christi in der Domkirche zu Trier. Andenken 1891”

meaning:

“The Holy Robe of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Cathedral Church of Trier. Commemoration 1891.”

The reverse contains a devotional prayer addressed to Christ and specifically refers to the Holy Robe. At the bottom is an original ecclesiastical printing authorization:

“Imprimi permittitur. Treveris, die 10 Julii 1891. Vic. in Spirit. Gener. C. Henke.”

The date makes this a particularly interesting surviving souvenir from the 1891 Trier pilgrimage, one of the major historical public exhibitions of the Holy Robe.

The Holy Robe, traditionally regarded by the Catholic Church as the seamless tunic of Christ, has been preserved at Trier Cathedral for centuries. The Trier Cathedral itself notes that the historical and scientific authenticity of the garment cannot be conclusively proven, while emphasizing its importance as an object of Christian devotion.

Details

• Subject: Holy Robe of Christ — Heilige Rock of Trier
• Location depicted: Trier Cathedral, Germany
• Type: Antique Catholic pilgrimage / devotional card
• Date: 1891
• Language: German
• Front inscription: “Der heilige Rock unseres Herrn Jesu Christi in der Domkirche zu Trier”
• Reverse: German devotional prayer
• Imprimatur: Trier, 10 July 1891
• Publisher: Boussai–Lebel, Paris
• Material: Printed paper/card
• Approx. size: 10.5 × 6.5 cm
• Period: Late 19th century
• Condition: Original antique condition

Condition

The card has beautiful natural ageing consistent with an object from the late 19th century, including gentle discoloration, foxing and minor surface wear.