Title:
Prayer Card for Patrick Bouvier Kennedy Issued Following the Mass of the Angels by Richard Cardinal Cushing
Description:
Original memorial prayer card produced following the Mass of the Angels for Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, the infant son of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Printed in blue ink on cream cardstock, the card bears the title:
"Prayer by Richard Cardinal Cushing Following the Mass of the Angels for Baby Patrick Bouvier Kennedy"
The card records Patrick's brief life:
Born Wednesday, August 7, 1963
Died Friday, August 9, 1963
The interior contains the complete prayer composed by Richard Cardinal Cushing, the influential Archbishop of Boston and longtime friend of the Kennedy family. The prayer reflects on the tragic loss of the infant child while offering consolation and spiritual comfort to the grieving parents. The reverse concludes with a printed facsimile signature of Cardinal Cushing above his title, Archbishop of Boston.
The card remains an exceptionally poignant relic connected to one of the most heartbreaking episodes in the Kennedy family's history.
Historical Context:
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born prematurely on August 7, 1963, at Otis Air Force Base Hospital in Massachusetts. Despite receiving the most advanced medical care available at the time, he succumbed to infant respiratory distress syndrome just thirty-nine hours later on August 9, 1963.
His death profoundly affected President and Mrs. Kennedy. Patrick's passing represented the third pregnancy loss experienced by Jacqueline Kennedy, following a miscarriage in 1954 and a stillborn daughter in 1956. Historians frequently note that the tragedy brought President and Mrs. Kennedy closer together during the final months of his life.
The funeral Mass for Patrick was celebrated by Richard Cardinal Cushing, one of the most prominent Catholic figures in America and a trusted confidant of the Kennedy family. Cushing had officiated at John and Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding in 1953 and remained a close family friend throughout their lives.
Only three months after Patrick's death, President Kennedy would be assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963, forever linking Patrick's brief life with one of the most consequential years in American history. As a result, memorial items associated with Patrick Kennedy are considerably scarcer than those connected directly to President Kennedy and are highly sought after by advanced Kennedy collectors.
Authentication & Encapsulation:
N/A.
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Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.
Closing Appeal:
Far more than a simple memorial card, this piece serves as a touching reminder of the private grief endured by America's most famous political family during the final months of the Kennedy presidency. Directly connected to Patrick Bouvier Kennedy's funeral rites and featuring a prayer authored by Cardinal Cushing, this scarce artifact offers collectors a deeply personal and historically significant connection to the Kennedy family's most intimate tragedy.
Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.
