{"product_id":"antique-1926-catholic-holy-card-venerable-brother-francis-of-the-child-jesus-discalced-carmelite","title":"Antique 1926 Catholic Holy Card – Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus, Discalced Carmelite","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA rare antique Catholic devotional holy card dedicated to the Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus (Franciscus van ’t Kindeken Jezus), a Discalced Carmelite friar.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front features a finely printed devotional portrait of Brother Francis in his Carmelite habit, kneeling in prayer before a sacred image. The Latin inscription identifies him as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Venerabilis Frater Franciscus a Puero Jesu – Ordin. Carm. Excalc.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse contains an extensive \u003cstrong\u003eDutch-language biography and devotional prayer\u003c\/strong\u003e, describing his life, virtues and reputation for holiness. The text states that Franciscus was born in Villa-Palacios, Spain, in 1544, entered the Discalced Carmelites as a lay brother in 1598, and died in Madrid on 26 December 1604.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is especially interesting to collectors because it bears an \u003cstrong\u003eImprimatur dated Ghent, 22 February 1926\u003c\/strong\u003e, signed by A. De Bock, Vicar General. This provides a documented early-20th-century date for the printed devotional card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe card retains an old protective transparent covering and shows natural signs of age, including yellowing, surface wear, creasing and small imperfections. A small red devotional\/seal-like element is also preserved near the lower left of the front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 12 cm\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 7.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1926\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Belgium \/ Flemish Catholic devotional tradition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dutch and Latin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrder:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discalced Carmelites\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique Catholic holy card \/ devotional print\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautiful historical devotional object for collectors of \u003cstrong\u003eCatholic ephemera, Carmelite history, antique holy cards, religious prints and early-20th-century devotional material\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacra Relics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58630796214607,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/5556\/3855\/files\/photo_2026-09-01_15-24-21.jpg?v=1788265557","url":"https:\/\/sacrarelics.com\/products\/antique-1926-catholic-holy-card-venerable-brother-francis-of-the-child-jesus-discalced-carmelite","provider":"Sacra Relics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}