These devotional items serve as tangible reminders of departed loved ones during a period of remembrance. Often featuring religious imagery and printed prayers or verses, these cards are distributed and used for private or communal supplication. As an example, an individual might select a card displaying an image of a saint with a prayer for the souls in purgatory printed below, using it as a focus during their personal devotions.
The utilization of these memorial pieces provides solace and a means of expressing faith while commemorating the deceased. Their presence fosters a sense of connection with those who have passed, reinforcing beliefs regarding the afterlife and the efficacy of prayer for the departed. Historically, the tradition reflects a practice of offering intercessory prayers for the purification of souls and their eventual entry into heaven. This aligns with broader theological concepts related to purgatory and the communion of saints.
