Irish penal rosary
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The Irish Penal Rosary was a single-decade rosary used in Ireland during penal times when religious objects were forbidden.[1][2] This version of the rosary is easily hidden, allowing devout Roman Catholics to pray with less fear of being detected.
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[edit] Description
The crucifix has various symbols of the Passion:[2] a hammer for the nails of the cross, a halo for the Crown of Thorns, a jug symbolizing the Last Supper, cords for binding which recall the scourging at the Pillar, the spear used at Calvary, a cock and pot which illustrates an early apocryphal legend relating to Judas, the betrayer, and a roasting cock which suddenly came to life and crowed, thus prophesying the Resurrection, three nails used for the crucifix. Small marks along the side of the corpus indicate a ladder, both used in the crucifixion and by which we ascend to heaven.
[edit] Usage
The Penal Rosary is used by concealing the crucifix inside one's sleeve or palm while the ring is placed over the thumb while the first decade of the rosary is spoken, then placed over the next finger as the next decade is spoken and so on.
