THE newly installed Stations of the Cross in the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballyraine, Letterkenny have been drawing admiring glances this week.
The fourteen stations, publicly unveiled on Ash Wednesday, are most commonly prayed during Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays, and especially on Good Friday.
They were purchased at auction from St Mary’s Convent, Derby and are late 19th Century oil and gold leaf on canvas which are laid down on eight metal panels. One is inscribed Studio J Lintbout St Croix, Bruges, Belgium.Fr Brian Quinn Adm., Parish Priest, Church of the Irish Martyrs, said he was delighted to get the stations installed in time for Lent.
“They’ve changed the whole feature of the church. It’s the first time we’ve had authentic picture stations and we’re truly indebted to the benefactor who kindly donated them,” Fr Quinn said.
The Church of the Irish Martyrs was opened in 1994 and the original stations were simple crosses with Donegal Irish, composed by the late Hugo Bonner, underneath. After the Loreto Convent in Milford closed the church used their stations.
significant piece of artwork
“After twenty five years it’s the most significant piece of artwork to come into the church.
“The aim was to have them in place for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent 2020,” Fr Quinn said.
“I found out this morning that one of the parishioners went to school in St Mary’s Convent, Derby. It’s a small world,” he added.
After being purchased the stations were sent to Belfast to get the gold leaf work re-done. The church is also being painted at present and the colours blend in perfectly with the new stations that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The painting contractor Raymond O’Donnell has completed his work on the main body of the Church but he still has a number of meeting rooms to paint.
The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation.
At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)