Apostolic blessing granted to "Mère Marie de l'Assomption, franciscaine missionnaire de Marie" for her nephew Jean-André Waucquez.

29 x 38 cm, vellum, in French, brown and gold ink, large polychrome illuminated frame, aut. s. "Benedictus PP XV" (sl. undulating).

Contemp. gilded moulded wooden frame and glass. Nice condition.

Diploma skillfully calligraphed and illuminated, signed by the Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922) with the handwritten words "Nous accordons de grand coeur la bénédiction implorée", probably for a baptism. The frame is decorated with a frieze incorporating 4 cartouches or medallions: the Sacred Heart with 2 captions ("Que Votre Règne arrive", "Laissez venir à Moi les petits enfants"), the recipient's first name, the pope's coat of arms and the emblem of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, congregation of Pontifical Right for women founded in 1877.