These cards are highly valued items given the significance of their meaning. As such, during this time of anniversaries of ordinations, we celebrate with priests all over the world these momentous occasions.
Pope Pius XII: The 1899 Holy Card from His Ordination to the Priesthood
The artifact is the Ordination Holy Card from Eugenio Pacelli’s 1899 ordination to the priesthood.
REMEMBRANCE
1899
Eugenio Pacelli
a Roman
elevated to the Priesthood
on Easter Day
On the following day
in the Borghese Chapel
of the Liberian Basilica
[Santa Maria Maggiore]
offered his first Mass.
The loving child of God
at His altar
first sacrificed to the Immortal God
Saviour of the People.
May you be present
Rejoicing to be invited.
We are grateful to Professor John Adams for his generosity in translating this ordination card.
The translation gives us insight into the heart and soul of the 23 year old priest’s love for our Lord, and causes us to know him in a way we would not otherwise have the opportunity.
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- Father Georg Ratzinger: Ordination Holy Card
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- Holy Card (Front) Commemorating the Ordination of Father Georg Ratzinger, Signed
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- Holy Card Commemorating the Ordination of Pope Benedict XVI, Signed
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- Holy Card Commemorating the Ordination of Pope Benedict XVI, Signed–Front
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- Pope John Paul I ordination card
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- Pope John Paul I ordination card
Father Georg Ratzinger
This item is actually a holy card that Georg Ratzinger, brother to Pope Benedict XVI, had printed for his ordination. Nearly all priests have their own cards printed to commemorate ordination, the most important event of a priest’s life. And this one was printed for Father Georg Ratzinger and is nearly identical to the one his brother had printed. It’s a great item to have because it dates back to the very beginning of the ministry of the man who was our Holy Father from 2005 until his resignation in 2012. And what is of greatest interest is the fact that both brothers signed these holy cards at the time of their ordinations. They are very nice additions to this Collection.
There are reasons that priests have ordination cards with general information on them. The first purpose, of course, is to commemorate the event. Also, priests give them as gifts in thank you cards, and also, they are given for people to remember that date.
Lots of times, on one side, there will be a holy picture, as is Joseph Ratzinger’s, which is an image of the Madonna and Child. Sometimes, priests choose a saint, or an image of Christ or a saint for whom the priest has a particular affection. Oftentimes a favorite scripture quote is used, and the date and location of ordination is also included.
Georg has a picture of himself, too. The picture is rather unique in that most guys don’t have a photo on their cards. This makes it more interesting, I think, because you can see a very young priest, who not only has served our Church for over 60 years, but also has a brother who became our Holy Father. —Father Richard Kunst
Father Georg Ratzinger was ordained on June 29, 1951.
Translation of Father Georg Ratzinger’s Ordination Card:
In memory
Of the holy days of my ordination
as a priest and my “Primiz” (first mass in the home parish)
Freising Traunstein
29th June & 1951 8th July
Georg Ratzinger
The Gospel of Saint John, Chapter 17, Verse 18:
Consecrate them in the truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.
We are grateful to Elfriede Klar of Esch, Germany, for her assistance in the translation of this ordination card.
Father Joseph Ratzinger
This item is actually a holy card that Pope Benedict XVI had printed for his ordination. Nearly all priests have their own cards printed to commemorate ordination, the most important event of a priest’s life. And this one was printed for Father Joseph Ratzinger who later became Pope Benedict XVI. It’s a great item to have because it dates back to the very beginning of the ministry of the man who was our Holy Father from 2005 until his resignation in 2012. And what is of greatest interest is the fact that it was signed by him at the time of his ordination. And, not only did he sign his ordination card, but also, his brother, Georg, ordained with him, signed his as well. So these are very nice additions to this Collection.
There are reasons that priests have ordination cards with general information on them. The first purpose, of course, is to commemorate the event. Also, priests give them as gifts in thank you cards, and also, they are given for people to remember that date.
Lots of times, on one side, there will be a holy picture, as is Joseph Ratzinger’s, which is an image of the Madonna and Child. Sometimes, priests choose a saint, or an image of Christ or a saint for whom the priest has a particular affection. Oftentimes a favorite scripture quote is used, and the date and location of ordination is also included. Father Ratzinger chose an inscription from 2 Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we lord it over your faith; rather, we work together for your joy, for you stand firm in the faith.”
Benedict XVI has a picture of himself, too. The picture is rather unique in that most guys don’t have a photo on their cards. This makes it more interesting, I think, because you can see a very young Pope Benedict. –Father Richard Kunst
Pope Benedict XVI was ordained on June 29, 1951.
Father Albino Luciani
On July 7, 1935, Albino Luciani was ordained to the priesthood, the first step on what was to culminate in his 1978 election as our Holy Father, Pope John Paul I. His pontificate lasted a mere 33 days. Since he was not even considered to be papabile, not many items belonging to or associated with him are often available for purchase, and they are quite rare.
The artifact presented here is his ordination card. Quite typically, the young priest chooses an image from the gospels. In this case, Luciani chose the image of the Good Shepherd. On the bottom of the card, it reads, in Latin, “I am the good shepherd.”
On the reverse side, is, first, an excerpt from Psalm 115 and, second, information about the offering of his first Mass, said in gratitude to God and for the consolation of all who attended it.
It ends with his new title, Don Albino Luciani, “new priest.”
There is a cause for the canonization of Pope John Paul I, making the acquisition of his ordination card even more valuable, spiritually.
