A Saint, a Crab & a Crucifix

Map

Holy Water Stoup (det.)

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December 3rd is the feast day of St Francis Xavier (1506-52), the Spanish co-founder of the Society of Jesus, and a missionary, who died in China. 

The 17th century Oratorio del Caravita, which is dedicated to St Francis Xavier, is home to a pair of beautiful holy water stoups. Look closely at either of the acquasentiere, as they are called in Italian, and you will see a small crab clutching a crucifix in its claws.

One day St Francis Xavier was caught in a storm when travelling by boat to Malacca. He threw his crucifix into the sea, while praying for the storm to abate. When he later landed safely on the beach, he is said to have spotted a crab clutching his crucifix in its claws. 

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