This darling holy card was made by Eulalie Bouasse, maiden name Lebel, around 1847. It is lovely and delicate, with an idyllic setting and an uplifting message. It was also made at a time of great uncertainty in Mrs. Bouasse's own life, a time which required much faith.

She had grown up in her father's printing business; she had even married his shop foreman in 1827. But about 1845 her husband left her. She was a single mother with two children to take care of. Her father was long deceased, and she had no siblings. She was facing destitution. She turned back to the trade she knew, printing, and began making holy cards, a relatively new art form. (source: udayton.edu)

Referring to the children, the French reads, "Faith and trust in Mary. Grenadille, Centauree. Mary, my tender mother, it is to you that I entrust them to be their support and their guide." The two flowers entwined in the border are Grenadille and Centauree, respectively a passion fruit and a thistle, representing the passion and suffering of our Lord, which Mary witnessed and shared.

The image is beautiful in it own right, but we can't help but see Eulalie's story in it. We can only imagine the difficulties she faced raising her children without a husband, at a time when very few women worked outside the home. What courage she must have had! What devotion she must have had to Christ and his mother! She made this card in a time of great uncertainty and yet great faith. The business she founded went on to last 120 years. May this art, and her her story, help us know we can entrust ourselves and our families to Mary's protection.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt.

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - CatholicArtAndJewelr