Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Apr 7: On the occasion of Good Friday, a grand display of over 2,000 Crosses was held at Vamanjoor church hall on April 5. The exhibition was initiated by Fr Ashwin Lawrence Crasta, assistant parish priest of Vamanjoor church with the help of parishioners and ICYM Vamanjoor unit. Fr James D’Souza, parish priest was present.
A vibrant collection of Crosses in wood, silver, copper, anodized material, steel, art on bottles, fabric, cast metal, palm leaves, etc left the visitors in awe. Every major Cross was supported with the document of origin, how it came into being and where it remains today and from where it was excavated. An explanation of the Theological Symbolism of the Cross, The Lunate Cross, St Benedict’s Cross, are some of the documents which were displayed along with the respective crosses for clarity and understanding of the visitors.
"I kept the Crosses for public viewing which I collected from the last ten years. My collection includes Crosses from Pakistan, Tanzania, and some European countries. In the initial days, I had a hobby of collecting stamps. Later, it turned into a collection of Crosses. I travelled to many places to collect the Crosses. Every Cross, has a historical background and its own importance among the believers. I must thank the parish priest and parishioners of Vamanjoor for their support in organizing the exhibition. I am also ready to display my Cross collection in parishes and religious places whenever the devotees want," said Fr Ashwin who is the sole collector of the Crosses.
"It is very difficult to collect more than 2,000 Crosses and preserve them without any damages. But Fr Ashwin has single-handedly managed the collection and displayed it to the public without any charges. Through the exhibition of Crosses, he is spreading the message of Jesus Christ and his Cross. I appreciate his unique initiative and wish him all success," said Fr James D Souza
Hundreds of devotees and Cross lovers visited the exhibition and tried to know the history of the Crosses.