Saint Fiacre of Breuil
Patron of Gardeners and Herbalists

Saint Fiacre of Breuil (c. 600-670) was originally from Ireland and moved to France. He was a solitary monk who grew vegetables and herbs on his rural hermitage given to him by the Bishop in Brie, France. Known for his holiness and hospitality, he eventually drew large crowds. He built an oratory in honor of the Blessed Virgin, and made a hospice for travelers which developed into the village of Saint-Fiacre in Seine-et-Marne.

Fiacre was known for his vast gardens which he used to feed the poor and travelers, and for the many herbs he grew. His prayers, along with this knowledge of herbs, brought healing to many people in the area and to many pilgrims traveling through.

After his death, there continued to be many reports of miraculous healing after invoking his help in prayer, and the little chapel continued to draw crowds for centuries. Even today, people still visit his shrine. Feast Day: September 1. St. Vincent de Paul had a special admiration for the saint because of Fiacre's love for the poor. (source: Catholic.org)

A perfect gift for Catholic gardeners, this charming picture has a lovely scene of the monk in his garden, surrounded by scrollwork filled with perching songbirds. Printed in vibrant chromolithograph colors in the late 19th Century (a color palette akin to Technicolor films), this vintage holy card was the product of cutting-edge technology in its day. It reminds us of some Belgian cards we've seen, but it might have been French. The publisher is not identified. Circa 1880.

** IMPORTANT ** IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER!! There is a white border around the image! .5" for 5x7, 1.3" for 8.5x11, 1.6" for 11x14". Image is smaller than the paper!!!!

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.