The Penal Altar

The Penal Altar in the yard of Bride Street Church

It was taken from the Church of St. Elloch in Kerlogue. The church of St Elloch belonged to the Knights Templar.

This altar was used in penal times when mass was forbidden.

It was carefully dismantled and rebuilt in the grounds of the Church of the Assumption by Fr Luke Doyle Adm in 1887. In 1956 Fr Michael O’ Neill had it moved to its present position.

Prayer

The Wexford Martyrs and their Irish companions.

God our Creator, in the lives of the Irish Martyrs you have given us a wonderful example of courage under persecution, of faithfulness to the Gospel and of loyalty to the Church. They laid down their lives for the right of all people to live and worship in accordance with their conscience. They died with forgiveness in their hearts for those who injured them or differed from them in any way. Through their intercession, may we be strengthened to act according to our own Catholic faith to respect the beliefs of others. Through their example, may we learn to banish bitterness from our hearts and to live together in peace and harmony in this country of ours. We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Blessed Matthew Lambert … Pray for us.

Blessed Robert Meyler … Pray for us.

Blessed Edward Cheevers … Pray for us.

Blessed Patrick Cavanagh … Pray for us.