The Irish standard., 1899-09-23

PoWCi ana RESOURCES ol lllc klllSQOm LOT
the promotion OF their happiness. The
s;nctity OF his life merited for him the
honor oil having his name among the
saints OF the Church. He was canon
lied by Pope Alexander Ill, in the
year 1863.
The enlargement OF Westminster Abb
hey was begun by this king soon after
he ascendcd the throne. He lett moth
ing undonc to make it worthy OF the
prosperous kingdom he was happily
ruling. With the resources OF king
dom at his command and iervent re-
ligious zeal to animate his intentions
and strengthen his determination in the
execution of his project, the work when
completed commanded the admiration
OF the world. His royal palace was
close by, near where the parliament
buildings now stand, and as he in
tended to be buried within the sacred
precincts of the magnificent ctihce, he
gave to its erection his personal atten-
ton.
The new church connected with the
monastery was built in the form OF a
cross. The style OF architecture was
Norman, the first OF its kind in Eng
land, but it gradually became the prev
alent style OF construction, owing to the
desire OF future builders to initiate the
great church of the good King Ed
ward. The monastery itself was greatly
enlarged, and new buildings added for
the accommodation Of the increased
number OF Bcnedictinc monks. All
things were now ready for the dcdica-
ton which took place in December,
loo5, with all the gorgeous ceremony OF
the Catholic ritual A few days later
England was in mourning. Her good
king was dead, having passed to his
eternal reward on the 18th OF the same
month in which the noble cdihce, that
he had erected for the honor and glory
OF the Most High, was dedicated. He
was buried in the monastery which
thenceforth became more and more sa-
cred to the people on account OF being
the last resting place of their beloved
ruler.
After his death there was no material
change in the affairs OF the Abbey until
Henry III. came to the throne In the
fourth year of his reign he,b.gan its re-
construction. A chapel in honor of the
Blessed Virgin was first built, which
surpassed in magnifcence the previous
work OF Edward. twenty-five years
later he pulled down the greater part OF
the Confessor's monastery and on its
site erected the magnificent building
that is seen today. The work was done
out OF veneration for ST. Edward to
whose memory he wished to erect a
monument that would stand the test OF
time. He handsomely endowed this
new monastery, translated the relics OF
st. Edward within its walls, and chose
his own burial place near the stately
shrine in which reposed the body of the
saint. After his death various additions
and Improvements, particularly in the
interior, were carried on under the di-
rcction OF his son Edward l., and other
successors, until about 174o, when the
western towers were finished, leaving
the building, in its external appearance
the same as we see it today.
Westminster Abbey is. therefore, the
growth of centuries, one age having
We'd with another in rendering it more
gorgeous and stately From the time
that its foundation was laid, away back
in the days Of St. Melltus, it remained a
distinctly Catholic institution, under
Catholic control, until the reign oI
Henry WILL, the arcll-plunderer and
prosecutor Of the Church to which he
was once SO devoted as to receive from
her the title Of defender OF the faith
The incidents that led to his downfall
and subsequent occupation of profcs-
sional prosecutor are well known facts
OF history. Among the churches and
religious establishments that he confs-
Gated for the good OF the new religion
OF which he had become the sclf-con-
stituted head, was Westminster Abbey
The monks were expelled. the Catho-
lie sacrifice and ceremonies that had
made the place so sacred for centuries
were abolished, and whatever indicated
the Catholic character OF the place was
cast forth. 1t remained under Protest.
ant control until Queen Mary began to
rule, and proceeded TO restore their law
full possessions to the Catholics. She
began with Westminster Abbey. The
monks were recalled and the old order
of Catholic ceremony and discipline re-
stored. 1t was again what its founders
intended from the start, the home oi
sanctity, continually resounding with
the praises OF the Almighty. But the
restoration was OF short duration. Eliz-
abeth was the next ruler. With the ad-
vent OF this spurious creature and apos-
tate, the glory of Westminster passes
away. Its magnifccncc, from an archi-
tecturai point OF view, has in nowise di-
minished, but the cold, drcary aspect oi
its interior, with nothing to warm the
soul, or recall the original purposes oi
its founding. reminds one of wh,+ IN