Holy Cards
Preview
Creation Date
between 1907 and 1924
Work Type
devotional pictures
Location
Paris (France)
Description
Booklet holy card. The front cover has a statue of Jesus on the crucifix; at the base of the sculpture is a white rose and thorn branches. The inside of the booklet has unattributed reflections on the crucifixion. The back cover has the letters HIS encircled by a wreath of thorns. This card was printed by Maison Bouasse-Lebel and their subsidiary Lecène & Companie sometime between 1907 and 1924.
Transcription
The True Friend. Let there be habitual and loving intercourse between our Crucifix and our soul; let it be our Friend in whom we Confide and whom we seek to imitate. (front) The Crucifix. Lord, the hour of my distress has come and I have been unable to bear it. I felt all my inward strength failing at once beneath the burden of an overpowering bitterness, a torrent of tears suddenly arose and sprang from my eyes. In this agony, the violence of which frightened me, I sought for succour; I cast my eyes around me I thought that so much suffering would finally call forth a Comforter; but I was alone and the Consoler did not appear. Then I perceived Thine image, O Christ; the instinct of salvation drew me towards It; I seized It with a trembling hand, and my face, bathed in tears, rested upon it. How much we cry over Thine image, O divine Crucified One! The tears of men know It well. There is between Thy Cross and human sorrow an eternal sympathy. Through my tears I looked at Thy Hands pierced for the love of men: my lips felt the nails which fastened Thy feet, and my hand tightly holding Thy Image rested on Thy wounded Heart. What did I say? What did I hear? I could not repeat it to myself. I remained long in union with Thee, kissing Thy wounds, holding in my hands Thy head crowned with thorns, losing myself in Thy Cross. For a long while I bathed with tears that Cross which Thou didst bath with Thy blood. I had no strength to pronounce one word, but, in the bottom of my heart, was the word which Thou, O Jesus, didst utter at the supreme moment: Father, unto Thy hands I commend my spirit. For a long while I followed the echo of that word, in all the folds of my soul, peering into depths I had ignored. Then peace came; I fell asleep as it were on Thy Heart, and little by little love conquered suffering. A strange, unhoped-for consolation which I felt did not come from myself, gently entered into my spirit, and while I was surprised at such a sudden change, that sweetness grew until it became like unto joy. Calm strength came to me. I felt I was renewed for the battle, and that my will had been seven times immersed in the Blood of the Lamb. O Cross of Jesus, Sublime Comforter, I shall never forget what Thou canst do against the overwhelming waters of despair and how Thou canst transform burning tears into peace and sweetness. (inside) IHS (back)
Collection
U.S. Catholic Special Collection
Repository ID
CSC.029-057
Permission Statement
This material may be protected by U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code) and/or international copyright law. The material is available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) or heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.
