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| GRAND ALTAR, MAYNOOTH CHAPEL. -This sketch shows the grand altar and sanctuary of the beautiful chapel of Maynooth College. Although modern, the church stands upon ground watered by the blood of heroes, and ennobled by their dust. Before this high altar the students of Maynooth University-destined for the sacred calling of the priesthood -kneel in worship of the Almighty Creator to whose service their lives are devoted. In this chapel they become familiar with the many rites and ceremonies that belong to the holy sacrifice of the mass, and listen to words of wisdom and eloquence from the lips of the reverend teachers they revere. Maynooth College is now a thoroughly Irish institution. It has come out from under the shadow of the government grant that long lay upon its reputation as an incubus. England did not endow Maynooth College, under Pitt and Pee, because she loved Catholicity. Finding that she could not, by persecution or by bribery, drive the great majority of the Irish people from the practice of that faith, she endeavored to control the sentiments of its missionaries. But her success was only partial and even that was short-lived. Maynooth, in spite of English effort, sent forth many patriot priests who espoused heartily the just cause of their people. The obnoxious oath, which was at one time administered to ecclesiastical students, is now a thing of the past-put away among the cobwebs of history with other sad relics of the more recent penal times. |
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