Antique 1926 Catholic Holy Card – Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus, Discalced Carmelite

A 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.

The 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:

“Venerabilis Frater Franciscus a Puero Jesu – Ordin. Carm. Excalc.”

The reverse contains an extensive Dutch-language biography and devotional prayer, 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.

The reverse is especially interesting to collectors because it bears an Imprimatur dated Ghent, 22 February 1926, signed by A. De Bock, Vicar General. This provides a documented early-20th-century date for the printed devotional card.

The 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.

Approximate dimensions:
Height: 12 cm
Width: 7.5 cm

Date: 1926
Origin: Belgium / Flemish Catholic devotional tradition
Language: Dutch and Latin
Subject: Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus
Order: Discalced Carmelites
Type: Antique Catholic holy card / devotional print

A beautiful historical devotional object for collectors of Catholic ephemera, Carmelite history, antique holy cards, religious prints and early-20th-century devotional material.