/internal/media/dispatcher/49892/fullPrayer card for President John F. Kennedy11/25/19634 3/4 x 3 1/2 in. (12.1 x 8.9 cm)PaperThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection2002.075.00140One prayer card from President John F. Kennedy's funeral Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 25, 1963. This prayer card was created under the direction of Sanford L. Fox, Chief of the White House Special Entertainments Office from 1961 to 1964, with input from the Kennedy family and clergy at St. Matthew's. [See Text Entries]
The front of the card has a black and white portrait of President Kennedy in profile with a faded gray background only around the portrait; the rest of the background is cream-colored - the color of the paper. There is a thin black border around the outside front and back edges of the card. The portrait used on this prayer card is from a photograph taken by the Kennedys' family photographer, Jacques Lowe.
The reverse of the card has text printed in black. President Kennedy's name, title, and life dates are printed centered at the top with a simple black cross printed beneath this information. A quote follows:
"Dear God,
Please take care of your servant
John Fitzgerald Kennedy", with three decorative leaf shapes beneath separating it from the text below. The majority of the text on the reverse of the card are quotes taken directly from the end of President Kennedy's inaugural address; this choice was made by Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy herself. [See Text Entries]
Prayer card is slightly yellowed. Very minimal color loss on corners of paper. (JM 09/26/2017)Documents656558.890000000012.065000000021803Prayer cardPrayer card from President John F. Kennedy's funeral Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 25, 1963. This prayer card was created under the direction of Sanford L. Fox, Chief of the White House Special Entertainments Office from 1961 to 1964, with input from the Kennedy family and clergy at St. Matthew's.
On the front of the card is a black and white photographic portrait of President Kennedy. This portrait is from a photograph taken by Kennedy family photographer Jacques Lowe. The front of the card has a black border.
Text is printed on the back of the card. President Kennedy's name, title, and life dates are printed at the top with a simple black cross printed below. The text:
"Dear God,
Please take care of your servant
John Fitzgerald Kennedy",
is followed by quotes taken directly from the end of President Kennedy's inaugural address, as selected by Jacqueline Kennedy.Inaugural addressPrayer cardPortraitMourningFuneralKennedy, John F.Fox, SanfordLowe, JacquesSt. Matthew's CathedralWashington, D.C.Included in the Museum's temporary exhibit, "Mourning a President," about the funeral and mourning rites for President John F. Kennedy, this item will be on display on the Museum's seventh floor from November 17, 2017 to February 19, 2018. -- Lindsey Richardson, Curator of CollectionsSanford L. Fox was the Chief of the White House Social Entertainments Office during the Kennedy presidency--a position he held from 1962 to 1975. As Chief, Mr. Fox was responsible for the planning, organization and execution of events at the White House including everything from teas to state dinners. He was an arbiter of protocol as well as having oversight for printing, engraving and calligraphy for menus, invitations and other stationery. He was also responsible for seating arrangements.
Sanford Fox and other White House staff assisted Mrs. Kennedy with planning her husband's funeral, in part by helping organize the necessary stationery. -- Lindsey Richardson, Curator of Collections