Take up your cross and follow me This message directs the faithful to follow the difficult path with your crosses of pain, sufferings, sickness, misfortunes, sorrows etc in the footsteps of Christ, on earth., Jesus never intended to build physical crosses, as a sign of a true follower. The interpretation and significance is quite contrary to our doctrine. The residences , open places , streets etc. are dotting with physical structures as an external identity of our faith and believe. It is become a fad, a new fashion and competition to erect crosses also by the way side. .Perhaps, we are under mistaken notion that such physical structures are the best ways of propagating and announcing to the word our religious attachments. Sometimes these crosses are also an obstruction to general public. Often it marks a corner, a boundary to ward off/ secure against official action on illegality of property by hoping to invoking religious sentiments. Cross adorns all our Churches, chapels as it is a sacred sign/ symbol of Catholic reverence, devotion , adoration and respect. This symbol before Christ was a sign of humiliation, reserved for the worst criminals and offenders. It is Jesus by his supreme sacrifice, sufferings, death on the cross has elevated it to a deep meaningful object in the salvation of mankind. Any desecration can therefore hurt the religious sentiments, raise passions and emotions leading to riots and violent protests engulfing the innocent in the society
The present day crosses are expensively created with a taste of art and design. Except foe the annual feast of the cross, these symbols are more a less a dormant reminders of our identity at the best. The trend in erecting at every house seem to be a norm. Sometimes lighted candles, an electric bulb keeps company May be another celebration of fulfillment of vows will bring it alive. A Peculiar and strange use is that crosses are used to entomb the remains of loved ones as a special resting place, which is ill advised. Certain crosses are attributed with miracles and faithful throng to these sites praying, singing of litanies, bow in reverence, stop, honour with garlands,.light candles, undertake pilgrimages in fulfillment of a vow as they travel, e,g Fulam Kuris on NH 17 on Margao –Panjim has a perenial crowd of devotees and requires booking in th time slot on days Entertainment industries to malign the community hangs crosses on the necks of anti social elements representing a notorious character .Many have also tattooed the symbol of cross on their bodies. Our precious ornaments have pendants of a cross etc. The Priests earlier used to sport embroidered cross or of gold on the lapels of shirts People who have erected cross in their own compounds are often a cross to their neighbors by their behavior, attitudes and anti religious activities and which could be avoided .Our religious sometimes recommend that a cross of various materials be buried to ward off evil spirits and cross be erected on the site of accidents more out of fear that the soul be lurking in the surroundings. In the film Omen the cross has significant effect on dissolving evil spirit may strenghten the belief of power of the cross Nelson Lopes. Chinchinim
