By Matters India Reporter
Mangaluru: “On the eve of the 450th anniversary of Rosario Cathedral, a rosary exhibition is being organized from November 9 to 12 in preparation of ‘The year of the Rosary 2018’ at Rosario Cathedral cultural hall,” said Father J B Crasta, parish priest.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangaluru inaugurated the rosary exhibition. It comprises of 50,000 rosaries from 80 different countries of the world which are included those that are blessed by St (Pope) John Paul II, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope Benedict XVIth, some of them more than 200 years old.
The exhibition also has over 200 statues of Mother Mary in different shapes and 100 crosses. Devotees come in large number to witness this exhibition of the rosaries, said Father Crasta.
“The exhibition is intended to help the devotees to meditate mysteries of Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith and look after our families with love,” he added.
Rosary is a chain of beads used by Catholics during prayer dedicated to Mother Mary.
Sabu Caiter, a Catholic from Kerala facilitated to hold the exhibition. He is a businessman by profession and rosary collector of passion. He has a collection of more than 50,000 rosaries.
Crasta said this is a first-of-its-kind exhibition in undivided Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state, and for Caiter it is the 125th. Caiter wants to enter Guinness world record by organizing more of such expos. His family has dedicated itself to organize such exhibitions across the country free of cost.
Another reason for the expo is that it is organized as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Rosario Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary. It is also the first Roman Catholic Church built in 1568.
Vice-president of the church C J Siman, secretary Elizabeth Roche and Elias Fernandes and other lay leaders took a lead role to organize the event.