Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt 天主教艺术博物馆 – Macau, China

        Just several steps from the entrance gate of the Ruins of St. Paul, I found a museum called the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt. Situated at the inner side of the ruins complex, the museum is a commemoration to the sacrifices of the Japanese and Vietnamese martyrs in spreading the gospel of the true salvation in Christ Jesus. I believe those people were not only memorable on earth but also in heaven. Since the admission to the museum is free, many people visit it just to look around. The museum was built on the original place of the church and the college. You just need to go down a flight of stairs to reach it since it is situated at the bottom end of the inner area.

        From 1990 to 1996, the Macau government had been doing excavation along the ruins complex and discovered the crypts of the Vietnamese and Japanese exiles who were involved in the establishment of the front facade of the Cathedral. Then to keep their bones, they finally built a museum which was inaugurated on 23 October 1996.

 

        Since the Museum and the Crypt are located next to each other, which one you want to go first is all up to you. If you turn right then you will arrive at the Museum of Sacred Art, but if you turn left, you will be at the Crypt. As I went down the stairs, it turned out that the first place I visited was the Crypt. It was a very solemn and quiet place which made some people think it was somewhat spooky and creepy especially with the remnants of the dead martyrs. 

I am not really sure what this is called but I think it is the famous unearthed tomb of the Jesuit who established the St. Paul’s College and who spread Christianity in Japan, Father Alexander Valignanolies, which is located on the granite rock at the center of the Crypt. 

The big rocks and the cross at the Crypt to commemorate the bravery of the martyrs

Along the sidewalls of the Crypt, the relics or the bones of the Japanese and Vietnamese exiles who were killed in the 17th century are displayed inside glass cases to commemorate their bravery in fighting for their Christian faith.

 

My friends and I at the Crypt

        Adjacent to the Crypt is the Museum of Sacred Art that exhibits objects of high historical value from different churches and four sacred paintings about St. Francis, crucifixes, religious statues and liturgical vessels, etc. Of all the paintings, the most highlighted one is the oil painting of the St. Archangel Michael of the 17th century. It is so famous because it is not only antique but also it is the only work of the old college that was saved from the blazing fire in 1835. The painting was painted by a Japanese disciple of the Jesuit Giovanni Nicollo according to western techniques and models. All items displayed in the Museum and the Crypt date back to the 16th and 19th centuries. Objects that can be found inside the Museum are oil paintings, figurines, and life-size replicas of different religious objects.

 

The beautiful Sino-Portuguese cross of the 17th century in ivory, wood and silver.

 

 

I guess this is what they called as the giant Indo-Portuguese statue of St. Augustin dated back to the 17th century. 

I have no idea what this item is called. Does anyone know?

The Indo-Portuguese sacred painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  

The Indo-Portuguese sacred painting of the Jesuits.

A painting of the 17th century depicting the martyrdom scene of 26 Japanese Christians who were crucified in Nagasaki in 1597.

        During your visit to the Museum and the Crypt, you are expected to show a silent and respectful attitude. Visiting the museum indeed gives some insights to how hard the struggle of the martyrs was and how thankful we should be as Jesus’ followers who could attend any Church service in a cozy and comfortable environment. So, be thankful that you do not need to suffer like the martyrs for your faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you all…

Sources:

Personal experience and additional information from other online articles