Antique Saint Rita of Cascia Relic Prayer Card - BW

Overview

Antique Italian Catholic relic prayer card depicting Saint Rita of Cascia moments after receiving the mystical forehead wound said to have manifested from Christ’s crown of thorns during prayer. Unlike many Saint Rita devotional cards, this example originally contained authenticated grains of earth from the “Miracle Garden” in Roccaporena, the village associated with Saint Rita’s life and miracles. The missing circular relic compartment remains visible on the front and reverse of the card. Saint Rita became one of Catholicism’s most famous saints associated with impossible causes, suffering, grief, endurance, and divine intercession.

Acquired / Origin

Origin: Italy

Acquired in Rome, Italy — May 2026.

Likely dating from the 1930s to 1950s.

Produced in Roccaporena di Cascia, the village historically associated with Saint Rita and the location referenced directly on the card.

Description

The front of the card depicts Saint Rita immediately after receiving the forehead wound associated with Christ’s crown of thorns. A beam of divine light extends from Christ toward Rita’s forehead while she clasps her hands in prayer. The imagery references one of the most famous mystical events in Catholic devotional history, where a thorn from Christ’s crown was said to pierce Rita’s forehead during meditation on the crucifixion, leaving a wound she carried until death.

Unlike standard devotional prayer cards, this example functioned as a relic associated object. The circular opening originally contained “Autentici granelli di terra dell’Orto del miracolo in Roccaporena” — authenticated grains of earth from Saint Rita’s “Miracle Garden” in Roccaporena. The relic material is no longer present, but the original relic compartment and shrine stamp remain visible.

The reverse contains an Italian prayer to Saint Rita asking for relief from suffering, anguish, hopelessness, and impossible situations. The prayer repeatedly refers to Saint Rita as the saint invoked during the most desperate and insurmountable moments of life.

Cards like this were commonly carried in wallets, prayer books, bedside altars, or held during private devotional prayer and meditation.

The prayer card is mounted within a black 5x7in deep display frame with 1.5in depth.

Specs

Original Card Size: Approx. 4 x 2.5 inches
Frame Size: 5 x 7 inches
Frame Depth: Approx. 1.5 inches