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CONFIGURATION
- BEADS
SYMBOLS
- HISTORY
PENAL CROSS
The long cross was believed to be designed
to go into the hand more secretly - but some recent information from the
Natioual Museum of Ireland, home of the largest collection of Penal crosses
tells us that these little crosses were souvenirs from Loch Derg, a holy
site, carved from wood. Possibly the shape came from the Tall or High Crosses
found all over Ireland symbolize the reaching up to heaven and dating back
to the days of St Patrick (4th c).
10 BEAD CONFIGURATION WITH RING
Actually, this design with 10 beads and the ring
at one end is a very old tradition dating before the 1500s. It is also
called a 'Zehner' (Germany) or a 'Tenner' (England). The ring is moved
5 times, from one finger to the next to count off 10 prayers on each which
completes the 5 decades of the rosary.
~ CONFIGURATION~
ONE DECADE CHAPLET (I0 AVES & 1 PATER) - 9 in
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LITTLE CLOVERS ARE CARVED INTO THE SURFACE OF EACH
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A MODERN DAY CRUCIFIX FULL OF SYMBOLS ON OBVERSE
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HAMMER: For the nails of the Cross HALO: Crown of Thorns was not usually shown JUG or CHALICE: The Last Supper CORDS for BINDING: Symbolize the Scourging at the Pillar SPEAR: Piercing the side of Jesus + REVERSE CROCK and POT: Symbolizing the early apocryphal legend relating to Judas the betrayer. Also the resting cock which suddenly came to life and crowed, thus prophesizing the resurrection. THREE NAILS: Tools of the Crucifixion Thank you to all who have sent information ... Especially to Marianne Payne (Canada) ... and to Fr Jim who wrote: On the Irish Penal rosary I believe you were wondering what the marks are on the right side. They symbolize a ladder. The cross being the ladder by which we reach heaven. Glad to be of help. Thanks for this information, Fr Jim! |
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
Religious persecution in Ireland began under Henry
VIII. (1540 till about 1731) The local Parliament adopted acts
establishing the king's ecclesiastical supremacy, abolishing the pope's
jurisdiction, and suppressing religious houses. A trip through the
countryside of Ireland today will yield ruins of monasteries and churches
everywhere. After awhile, one has to ask, what really happened? It
is a long and sad history as soon after this came the Potato Famine which
claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children.
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PENAL TIMES
In 1691, King James II signed the Treaty of Limerick.
This assured that the Irish Catholics were secure to own their own land,
could speak their own language and above all, practice their religion.
History tells us that as soon as he left Ireland, the treaty was broken
and all the guarantees above were denied by the English. Death became
the common penalty for attending or celebrating the Mass. Many many Priest
and Laity lost their lives in the underground churches. These times became
known as the 'Penal Times' and the Irish Penal Rosary became popular.
for more information on Penal Rosary see
HUNT
MUSEUM (LIMERICK)
IMAGES
OF PENAL CROSS FROM 1729
see the Workshop's three Penal Rosaries
CIPR.2000
- CIPR.2010
(bronze) CIPR.2020 (iron)
2010 & 2020 offered with ancient crosses
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