Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 1: On the occasion of its post centenary silver jubilee, a cross exhibition is being held at St Anthony Ashram from March 31 to April 2 from 10 am to 6 pm. Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha inaugurated the cross exhibition on March 30 at 6 p.m.

The vicar general of Mangalore diocese Msgr Maxim Noronha, St Anthony director Fr J B Crasta, assistant director Fr Rupesh Tauro, Fr Larry Pinto, the exhibitionist Fr Ashwin Crasta and several priests were present. The bishop appreciated the great work of cross collection and invited the faithful to visit and meditate on the Cross. It was a grand display of over 2,000 crosses and more in actual and art form. All of which created an 'aura' of the mystery ‘Christ on the Cross’.

This new idea of display and history of the cross that comes to man down the ages was supplemented with an ardent desire of collection of crosses which has been going on for over four years of the priestly life of a young and dynamic priest, Fr Ashwin Lawrence Crasta, from Vamanjur church. He bears the testimony of his journey of collection of crosses in and around the globe. His constant search in endless ventures.

Fr Ashwin Lawrence Crasta

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.

The blacksmiths and carpenters who have done these exquisite pieces of art today stand as witnesses of the workmanship and the labour of their hands.

An absolute complete spiritual journey of the Crosses and their history. Good Friday a day of spiritual blessing ends with a spiritual 'enigma'. A tour of the ‘Crosses' begins for most of the visitors who witnessed the exhibition in the morning and now delve in the mystery of Christ himself.