What were holy cards used for

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Catholic holy cards were used in the past for a variety of reasons, primarily to aid in devotion and remembrance, particularly for those who were not literate. They served as visual reminders of faith, often featuring images of saints or religious figures, and were distributed for various occasions like first communions, births, deaths, or to honor religious icons. 

Here are their main purposes:

Visual aids for the illiterate. In medieval Europe, when literacy was less common, holy cards provided a way for Catholics to engage with their faith through images, even if they couldn't read the accompanying prayers or scripture. 

Remembrance and mourning. They were used to announce births and deaths, or to mark significant dates and life events, often serving as a form of memorial or in memoriam. 

Veneration of saints. Holy cards featured images of saints, encouraging devotion and providing a visual reminder of the saints' lives and intercession. 

Rewards and inspiration. Religious education teachers used them as rewards for students, and they were sometimes given as a form of encouragement or a way to connect with faith in daily life. 

Communion of Saints. Holy cards, especially those featuring saints, help to reinforce the concept of the communion of saints and the idea that prayers from individuals can be more powerful through intercessory prayer. 

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