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B

 Series

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1650-approximately 1850

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Collection of printed holy cards, largely of the eighteenth century, for German-speaking Catholics. Each card includes the name and feast day of a saint or spiritual event, an etched or engraved image of that saint or spiritual event, a brief devotional passage, and a summarized hagiography. Some cards appear in duplicate, others in multiple versions, with often significant overlap between versions (such as same text but different image, or same image... but different text). Most of the holy cards in this collection include serial numbers, indicating they were part of a set distributed over time to the same group of people, possibly as part of instruction by a religious order. Iconography, particularly the frequent presence of IHS (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) and MRA (Mediatrix, Auxiliatrix, Reparatrix) monograms, suggests a possible Jesuit connection, especially to Marian Congregations.

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Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Cards are predominantly in German, with some names in Latin. A few cards are entirely in Latin.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 2 Linear Feet (1 container)

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository

Contact:
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861