THE REAL STORY ABOUT THE CROSS ON THE BEAUTIFUL ROCKS OF LAVUSHIMANDA DISTRICT
When one travels on the Great North Road between Lavushimanda and Mpika districts, it is highly likely that you will notice a cross erected high up in the rocks. Recently the cross has generated a lot of interest and a lot of speculation has arisen about how the cross found itself there. A misleading narrative has emerged that claims that it was erected by early European Missionaries many decades ago.
The truth is that the cross was actually erected recently, just some two years ago (2021) by the Christian Communities of Mpumba and Mununga in Lavushimanda District led by a Catholic Priest.
History has it that when the Catholic Missionaries came to settle in Chilonga Mission in Mpika some 125 years ago, the mission area to the southern part (mostly in present day Lavushimanda District) went up to Kapoko area and from Kapoko to Serenje. This area was highly dominated by other missionaries (protestants).
There was no Catholic Parish (mission) until 2016 when the Bishop of Mpika Diocese sent the priests of the community of Opera Santa Maria della Luce (O.S.M.d.L) to open a parish in Mpumba (Our Lady of Fátima Parish). It was from that time when the idea of erecting a Holy Cross came up. This was to show the presence of Catholicism and the Mission in the area. The idea was supported by the local people and other churches like the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) who supported the project in kind.
Now, the place has become a stop over for many road users as a shrine of prayer and take pictures for it was erected on very beautiful rocks of the mountain in Lavushimanda District. As one goes up the mountain, they can read the write-ups on the rocks, ‘the Way of the Cross’ and the message of the Cross. “Lord, by Your Holy Cross, You Have Redeemed the Whole World”, “Inkama ye Pusukilo” and other Bible quoted words.
The accompanying pictures show the process of erecting the said cross.
This is the true story of the beautiful cross on the highway as one travels on the Great North Road between Lavushimanda and Mpika Districts.
(Source: Mpika Diocese Catholic Christians)
