The Mass House

The Mass House Wexford

The house with the dormer windows in Mary’s Lane was once a “Mass House”. Tradition has it that it was used after the time of Cromwell when mass was forbidden within the town walls.

The lower story of the house was a tannery. The upper story was a loft running the full length of two houses and this loft was converted into a chapel. There was a vaulted ceiling with round pillars supporting miniature arches and the walls were decorated with ornamental panels and plaster work.

Entrance from the outside was up a flight of steps. The house beside the oratory and graveyard was probably the priest’s house.

Prayer

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen.