Saint James
First century.
Feast Day: July 25.
Patron of: Spain. Pilgrims. Equestrians. Druggists.
James the Greater was one of the original apostles. According to tradition he preached the gospel as far as Spain. He returned to Judea and was put to death. His body was set out in a boat which washed up on the coast of northern Spain. The great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was built to house his relics. This became a great pilgrimage center. Saint James was the patron of the Christians fighting off the Moorish invaders. He is shown in pilgrimage garb on a white charger leading the battle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Saint Bridget of Sweden 1303–1373.
Feast Day: July 23.
Patron of: Healers.
The daughter of a nobleman, Bridget married a prince. She was widowed and left with eight children after 28 years of marriage. Living at the Swedish Royal Court, she began to experience visions and prophecies directing her to form her own holy order. She began the Bridgettines, a mixed order of monks and nuns. She is wearing the habit that she envisioned and carrying the book of her order. Lilies of purity surround her.

Saint Mary Magdalen
First century. Feast Day: July 22.
Patron of: Penitents. Reformed Prostitutes. Glovemakers. Hairdressers.
An infamous prostitute converted by Christ, Mary Magdalen became His follower and friend. She is always shown with long hair and a jar of oils. In gratitude of His social acceptance of her, she washed His feet, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with oil. She was the first person to whom the risen Christ appeared. After His Ascension, she was set adrift in

a boat and landed in Marseilles, where she lived an ascetic and penitent life.

Saint Margaret of Antioch

Died 303. Feast Day: July 20.
Patron of: Childbirth. Exiles.
Margaret was the Christian daughter of a pagan priest. When her father discovered her conversion he cast her out. She lived as a simple shepherdess. When she rejected the advances of a prelate, she was denounced for her Christianity and incarcerated. In her cell the devil appeared to her as a dragon and swallowed her. A cross she carried grew so large it split the dragon in two. She was then beheaded. She holds the sword that killed her and the dragon in chains at her feet.

Saint Alexis of Rome  Early Fifth century. Feast Day: July 17.
Alexis, the son of a Roman senator, fled his wedding to become a beggar. After living in Edessa and earning the reputation for great sanctity, he returned to his home in Rome. His family did not recognize him in his ragged state and allowed him to live under their staircase. By the time of his death, the King (with crown), the Cardinal (in red), and the Pope (with the triple tiara) all recognized his holiness and came to pay him tribute. 

Saint Veronica  First century. Feast Day: July 12.
Patron of: Laundresses. Photographers.
As Christ was being led to his crucifixion, a woman named Seraphia wiped his face with her handkerchief and his image remained on the cloth. Vera icon means “true image,” giving the saint her new name. She is shown holding the image she obtained, with the crucifixion in the background.

Saint Camillus de Lellis  1550–1614. Feast Day: July 14.
Patron of: Nurses.Those with bodily ills.
A soldier with a gambling habit, Camillus was forced to work in construction to pay off debts. He was converted by the Capuchins for whom he was working. After spending time in a hospital for an incurable war injury, Camillus was inspired to devote his life to caring for the sick. He founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sick, a nursing order which was later named for him. The red cross is his attribute.

Saint Benedict  480–547. Feast Day: July 11.
Patron of: Monks. Founder of the Benedictines.
He is the father of Western Monasticism, most monks still follow his rule. Living as a hermit when he founded his order, a raven with bread offers him sustenance. He holds the Abbot’s staff. Jealous monks once tried to poison his wine; the snake of Satan is lurking in the chalice. The closed book is for mysterious teachings. Benedict was known for his supernatural gift of prophecy.

Saint John of Cologne Died 1572. Feast Day: July 9.
John was a Dominican priest who could not wear his habit because of the persecution against the church. He was caught smuggling communion to Catholic prisoners in Gorkum, Netherlands. He wears the rope he was hung with, while holding martyrs’ palms. The monstrance with the host glows near him. The shield of his order is at the bottom of the card.

The above saints have been excerpted from the book “Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua. All images are from the collection of Father Eugene Carrella.