Antique Saint Rita of Cascia Prayer Card - BW

Overview

Framed antique Italian Catholic prayer card depicting Saint Rita of Cascia receiving the mystical forehead wound said to have manifested from Christ’s crown of thorns during prayer. A beam of divine light extends from Christ directly toward Rita’s forehead as she kneels before a crucifix in devotional ecstasy. Saint Rita became one of Catholicism’s most famous saints associated with impossible causes, suffering, grief, endurance, and divine intercession. The reverse contains an officially approved Italian prayer asking Saint Rita for relief from anguish, desperation, and seemingly hopeless situations.

Acquired / Origin

Origin: Italy

Acquired in Rome, Italy — May 2026.

Likely dating from the 1930s to 1950s. Printed in Italy.

Description

The front of the card depicts one of the most famous mystical events associated with Saint Rita. According to Catholic tradition, while meditating deeply on Christ’s crucifixion, a thorn from Christ’s crown pierced her forehead, leaving a wound she carried for the remainder of her life. The forehead wound became one of Saint Rita’s primary identifying symbols and transformed her into a major devotional figure associated with extreme suffering, endurance, and impossible circumstances.

The reverse contains an Italian prayer referring to Saint Rita as “the Saint of the impossible” and asks for relief from emotional suffering, anguish, hopelessness, and prolonged hardship. The prayer also asks for forgiveness, perseverance, and divine assistance during despair.

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