Blessed St. Joseph Cottolengo Vintage Holy Card - Italy

This exquisite vintage Italian holy card from a nun estate features Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo in a beautifully rendered sepia-toned portrait. The front displays the saint in his characteristic black cassock with hands clasped in prayer, his humble countenance radiating the charity for which he became renowned. The image is framed within an elegant circular medallion, adorned with delicate floral arrangements of roses and lilies on the left side. A flowing ribbon bears the words "CHARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS" (The charity of Christ urges us), the motto that defined his life's work. Below the portrait, Italian text reads "Siate umili e Dio aprirà la vena delle sue consolazioni a vostro vantaggio" (Be humble and God will open the vein of His consolations to your advantage). The card includes a small relic window with radiating blue rays, a traditional feature of Italian devotional cards. The reverse side presents a formal prayer titled "PREGHIERA" (Prayer), beginning with a quote from the saint about the good Jesus never forgetting what is done for the poor. The prayer petitions God through Saint Joseph Cottolengo's intercession for the spirit of charity toward the suffering and perseverance in fervent prayer. A distinctive red wax seal marked "CHARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS" authenticates this piece at the bottom of the prayer card.

Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo (1786-1842) was a visionary Italian priest who founded the Little House of Divine Providence in Turin, a revolutionary institution that welcomed the sick, disabled, mentally ill, and abandoned with unprecedented compassion. Known as the "Saint of Charity," he believed that caring for the suffering poor was serving Christ Himself. His motto, "The Charity of Christ Urges Us," inspired him to create what became one of the largest charitable institutions in Italy. Canonized in 1934, Saint Cottolengo remains a powerful intercessor for those who serve the marginalized and vulnerable, and for those seeking healing and divine providence in times of need.

This authentic Italian devotional card is printed on quality textured card stock, measuring approximately 4 inches (10 cm) tall, capturing the traditional craftsmanship of sacred art from Turin. Made in Italy, it represents the enduring devotion to this remarkable saint in his homeland.

This piece has been blessed by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square.

Spiritual Benefits:

• Deepens devotion to St. Joseph Cottolengo, patron of charitable works
• Inspires greater compassion toward the poor and suffering
• Provides spiritual protection and comfort through saintly intercession
• Serves as a tangible reminder of God's providence and mercy
• Blessed by Pope Leo XIV for added spiritual merit
• Makes a meaningful Catholic gift for healthcare workers, caregivers, social workers, and those devoted to charitable service

Carry this blessed holy card as a daily reminder that the charity of Christ urges us to serve the least among us, and that through humble service, we encounter the face of God Himself.