Irish Penal crucifix - 5cm

Irish Penal Crucifix approximately 5cm (2")tall.

Penal rosaries and crucifixes have a wonderful story behind them. Penal rosaries and crucifixes (this one pertaining directly to Ireland) were used during the times when religious objects were forbidden. A penal rosary is a single decade with the crucifix on one end and a ring on the other.

When praying the penal rosary you would start with the ring on your first finger and the beads and crucifix of the rosary in your sleeve, as you moved on to the next decade you moved the ring to your next finger and so on and so forth.

The unique design of this crucifix with very narrow crossbars made it very easily concealed in a hand or sleeve.

This allowed people to pray the rosary without the fear of being detected. This crucifix is Silver oxidized made in Italy and is sold with jump rings attached. Although this crucifix has a very unique and interesting history to it, it would be a great addition to any rosary.