By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, Jan 6, 2025: For Anthony Rodrigues, the star which guided the three Wise Men of the East, is an inspiration for a unique mission involving children.
The 69-year-old decorated the lane in front of his house in Agassaim, his native village in Goa, with more than 1,000 stars for this Christmas.
The Wise Men “reached Christ following the star. I want children to remember this inspiring story, so I teach them to make stars,” explained the “Star Man of Goa.”
Rodrigues said he started his mission when he was 19 years old. He crafts the stars with bamboo and paper.
“This year I began to make the stars in June,” he told Matters India in early January.
This year when Goa conducted the decennial exposition of Saint Francis Xavier, Rodrigues depicted a scene from the life of the saint where a crab returns the saint, the lost crucifix from the water.
He served as a volunteer at Old Goa, during the 45-day exposition of the relics of the saint that concluded on January 5.
This year, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificaçao Fernandes of Goa blessed and inaugurated the display of stars.
“Anthony, the star man. has very artistically and meticulously displayed the stars and decorations. It is very tedious job to make these stars,” said Daughters of St Paul Sister Flora Fernandes, who admired the Star Man’s commitment and enthusiasm to make more and more stars every year.
I appreciate his desire to teach the younger generation to make stars instead of buying ready-made stars,” “she told Matters India.
Rodrigues says he will continue lighting up the stars for as long as he is healthy and fit. The stars at Agassaim will be on view until January 7.
“I have seen him making the stars. His commitment is great,” said one of the neighbors, who dropped in to talk to the visitors admiring the stars.
Rodrigues, who had earlier served Goa Medical College’s laundry department for 33 years, said more than 30,000 people have visited the stars this year.
“I am an artist and I teach children to make stars. However, they are not interested. They like to buy the stars,” Rodrigues said with a note of disappointment.
Over the years, he has also visited educational institutions and taught many children to make the stars.
Once, he conducted a workshop on making stars at Santa Monica Museum, Old Goa.
He is happy that his wife Soccurine appreciates his work and supports him.