Infant Jesus has been honored with a magnificent shrine at Carmel Hill, Mangalore. The architectural structure and design of the newly inaugurated shrine is unique in many ways. Carefully planned, it has a rich symbolic meaning and significance derived principally from Biblical themes, of both the old and the new testaments. Here below we give in brief its main features.
The five huge columns encircle and uphold the main structure, while rising to a height nearly double that of the roof and converging under a globe atop of which is planted a luminescent Cross. While at the base the shrine is hexagonal, the flooring is pentagonal. The flooring is generally of marble, except for the aisle and the border along the walls, which is granite. The wall itself is constructed of bare granite stones, skillfully chiseled. The columns and ceiling are solid concrete as also the overhead globe. The tubes for illumining the church are concealed, their light is reflected and diffused by the ceiling.
The Church may be entered by three doors, all of which are equally ‘main’ entrances: centre, right & left. The doors are all made of seasoned teakwood, into which familiar Biblical themes are represented. Over each of the doors too, part of the same theme is represented in ‘krinklglas’
The basement surrounded by the five huge columns is intended to represent the palm of the hand of God, in accordance with the text of Isaiah, “I have carved you on the palm of my hand”. And the five columns represent the fingers of His hand converging towards the overhead globe, which obviously symbolizes the universe. The Cross-atop the globe is an indication and symbol that God’s love has redeemed all humanity through Christ
On the door to the left of the centre, as one enters the church, the krinklglas above represents the Triune God in the form of Triangle at creation (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the ‘eye’ in the middle represents God giving the law through Moses and forming the people
While the door itself has a figure of Moses receiving the law from God and giving the law to people. Here, there is foreshadowing of the Christian assembly.
On the door at the centre the krinklglas above, pictures the Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary at annunciation. The star below on the krinklglas itself is the symbol of “Annunciation to the world that Jesus is born”
The Middle door to the Shrine symbolises The Nativity scene i.e. the Holy Family of Nazareth Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Over the door to the right of the centre the krinklglas pictures the last trumpet summoning to the final judgement. The raised hands are symbolizing that until the Lord comes we are continually singing His praises
Below on the door itself Jesus is depicted at Emmaus breaking bread to his two disciples.In the breaking of the bread the disciples recognized Jesus. This Holy Sacrifice will be celebrated till the end of the world.
Each of the doors is flanked by a grill on either side. These grills have sketches of the Carmelite saints wrought into them. The door to the right has a frame for St. Elias the Prophet, inspirer of the Carmelite Order
For more details, visit : http://infantjesusmangalore.net