In the tradition of Abrams' successful Holy Cards and Saints: A Year in Faith and Art, comes Patron Saints: A Feast of Holy Cards. From the thousands of Catholic Saints, authors Calamari and Di Pasqua have chosen more than 120 who are beautifully portrayed in rare antique holy cards, and whose particular role as patrons is explained by reference to their inspiring lives. The book is divided into five sections: there are patrons of occupations, of nations, of health, of states of life and of nature, animals or natural disasters. Each section includes a list of significant Saints, along with illustrated biographies of the ones selected for the book. Most readers will find here Saints whose patronage is relevant to their own lives.For hundreds of years, holy cards have offered comfort, consolation and encouragement to Catholics, who often carry these portable images of their favourite saints with them and use them in daily religious ritual. Given as remembrances at wakes and funerals, communions and confirmations, holy cards are also a widely popular - and highly collectible - form of folk art.