Images of Mary
The circulation of images of Mary, especially on Holy Cards, has aided in an increased devotion to Mary. Images of Mary and what she symbolizes can be universally identified, and therefore makes for a popular Holy Card. Mary is such an integral part of the teachings of the Catholic Church. She is a symbol of motherly love, faithfulness, and obedience. Devotions to her have continued to grow over the years as people turn to her as an intercessor, someone who can connect them to God. Many of the Holy Cards depict various aspects of Mary’s life or images of her with her son, Jesus. These images coincide with the numerous holy days and feast days that are associated with Mary. In many instances, the Holy Cards are recreations of famous works of art and depict popular ideas like the Madonna and Child.
1883, Italy
1893, Unknown
1910, Italy
1925, Italy
1983, United States
1991, USA
1987, Italy
1998, Italy
Throughout the year, the Catholic Church celebrates Mary often. Some of the Holy Cards shown below are used as representations of these holy days. Below is a list of the most popular Marian Feast Days:
January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes
March 25: Annunciation
May 13: Our Lady of Fatima
May 31: Visitation
August 15: Assumption
August 22: Queen ship of Mary
September 8: Birth of Mary
September 12: The Most Holy Name of Mary
September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows
October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary
November 21: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8: Immaculate Conception
December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
1898, Italy
Sacred Heart of Mary
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary most likely began in the 12th century. This devotion is usually linked to devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Feast Day: The Saturday after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
2000s, Italy
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Aztec in Mexico in 1531. Juan was on his way to his local chapel when a woman appeared to him at Tepayac Hill. She told him that she was Mary, the Mother of God and that she was here for all those who needed her. Mary also told him to relay this information to the bishop at Technoctilan. However, when Juan told the bishop what he saw, he did not believe him and needed proof. Juan went back to the hill where Mary told him to pick flowers and show them to the bishop, as this would be a sign of the truth. When Juan brought the flowers to the bishop, they were arranged in the perfect image of Mary, Santa Maria de Guadalupe. The appearance of Mary in Mexio led to millions of conversions. The image made of flowers is still intact today and is a popular pilgrimage site
Feast Day: December 12
1889, Unknown
Our Lady of Consolation
Our Lady of Consolation is a devotion linked to an icon originally found in Turin, Italy. Its home became known as the Shrine of the Consolata. Legend has it that the icon was painted by St. Luke and given to St. Maximus, the Bishop of Turin. However, in the 12th century the church was in ruins, but the icon remained completely intact. A new church was built on the same spot. In 1901, a religious institution was begun to help spread this devotion. Additionally, the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation spread as immigrants from Northern Italy began to move around.
Feast Day: January 31
1934, Unknown
Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows is centered on the devotion to the sorrows in Mary's life. This devotion became particularly popular in the 13th century. Mary appeared to seven priests and asked them to create a religious order dedicated to her sorrows. This order became known as the Order of the Servants of Mary. There are seven sorrows that are associated with Mary. They are as follows:
- The prophecy of St. Simeon
- The escape of the flight into Egypt
- The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem
- The meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa
- The crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary
- The piercing of the side of Jesus and His descent from the cross
- The burial of Jesus.
1949, Ireland
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a devotion associated with an icon of Mary and the infant Jesus The miraculous icon is located in a church outside of Rome in Genazzano. The church was first built in the 4th century and eventually taken over by the Augustinians in 1356. Many miracles began to happen to people who visited the icon. In 1753, Pope Benedict XIV established the Pious Union of Our Lady of Good Counsel as an official group that promoted the veneration of this icon. The icon has since withstood earthquakes and WWII bombings and come out completely untouched.
Feast Day: April 26
1989, United States
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a devotion associated with an icon of Mary and the infant Jesus. This icon first appeared on the island of Crete in 1495 before it was brought to Rome. The man who was in posession of the icon was visited by Mary in a dream. She told him to bring the icon to a church where it could be venerated by all. Than man's wife however had convinced him to keep the icon and not listen to Mary's message. This disobedience resulted in the man's death. Finally the wife was convinced and had the icon brought to the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle in 1499. The church and the icon became a popular pilgrimage site with numerous miracles associated with it. Napoleon however destroyed the church in 1798 and the icon was placed in the care of a local group of Augustinian monks. The monks ultimately forgot that the icon was in their possession. It was not until 1865 that Pope Pius IX issued a decree that the icon should be removed from the monks and placed on display at the Redemptorist Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome, where it remains today,
Feast Day: June 27