Here is a link to Father Kunst’s, “A Few Minutes with a Pope
Souvenirs in Rome
- Flip Book of Pius XI Giving a Blessing: Cover
- Flip Book of Pius XI Giving a Blessing: Opened Book
- Flip Book of Pius XI Giving a Blessing: Additional Information
A photographic image of Pope Pius XI giving a blessing.
Flip books are small books consisting of a series of images that give the illusion of continuous movement when the edges are flipped quickly.
More from Father Kunst on Souvenirs in Rome
There are tons of gift shops all around St. Peter’s Basilica. In fact, gift shops may be the fourth most popular place at the Vatican. This item is something you would have bought probably at one of the little shops that would have been around in 1925, because it is from that year. It’s a little ‘flipper’. The official name for it is ‘flip book’. If you flip the pages fast enough it gives the illusion of a moving picture . This one is actually a photo of Pius XI giving a blessing. It was done as a souvenir to commemorate the Holy Year of 1925.
The title of the flip book reads, in Latin, “BENEDICAT VOS OMNIPOTENS DEUS, PATER ET FILIUS ET SPIRITUS SANCTUS.”
“May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
We show this item in footage included with this particular flip book. It’s this item that fascinates people the most in my Collection. I have all these really rare items, but people just get a kick out of seeing these little souvenirs.
I have a whole bunch of these little unique souvenirs in the Collection, including several flip books, which are the items that continue to be the most popular.
It is a highly collectible item. In fact there are people who collect only flippers. And to have one of a Pope giving a blessing for the Holy Year is really special.
Nowadays, people would buy a DVD. Then they bought a flipper! —Father Richard Kunst
The author of thirty encyclicals, Pope Pius XI shed light on the social and spiritual problems of his day and was characterized by his refusal to yield to the evils that threatened to overcome the world in which he lived. Instead he chose to rally the forces of good.
On Papal Artifacts/Pius XI, many items belonging or associated with this Pope are featured.
We honor his memory and contribution to our Church.
Pius XI is buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Other Flip Books in the Collection
- Flip book of Pope Pius XI Commemorating the Holy Year 1925
- Flip Book of Pope Pius XI Giving a Blessing
- Flip Book of Pope Pius XI Giving a Blessing
- Flip-Book of Venerable Pius XII Giving a Blessing
- Flip-Book of Venerable Pius XII Giving a Blessing
The following items are just some of the souvenir artifacts in this Collection associated with the pontificate of Pius XI.
- Rosary case given by Pope Pius XI on February 17, 1926, with Coat of Arms and Date
- Pius XI: Thirty-Piece Lead Toy Set of a Papal Procession
- Stanhope Writing Utensil from the era of Pius XI
- Stanhope in the Form of a Pipe With the Image of Pius XI From 1925
- Pius XI: Model of a Popemobile
- Five Pocket Knives From Various Papacies in Early & Mid 20th Century
- Letter Opener From the Early 20th Century
- Pius XI: Metal Water Bottle With An Image of Pope Pius XI
- Metal Bust of Pope Pius XI
- Silver Replica of an Oil Lamp from the Holy Year, 1925: Pius XI