Honiara in Capital Territory, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands — Oceania (Melanesia in the Pacific Ocean)
Memorial of the Cross
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2022
1. Memorial of the Cross Marker
In 1568 Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana came to our shores. Because of the great beauty of our islands and the prospect of finding gold, he named them Solomon Islands.
The expedition's navigator Peter Ortega asked that he name this island Guadalcanal after his home village in Spain.
As was the custom of the Spanish explorers, they had Catholic Franciscan priests accompany them on every journey. The log of the Capitana ship says that they got drinking water from the Mataniko River and on the nearby hill they placed the Cross and claimed Solomon Islands for Christ!
This Memorial contains various symbols:
Mendana's Ship called the Capitana which reminds us of our Christian journey that begins with God and ends with God in Heaven.
The Chalice and the Bible which reminds us that we are nourished in our Christian life by God's Word and the Eucharist which is the 'Bread of Life'.
The Cross which reminds us of the Scripture passage: Luke 9:23 "Take up the Cross" and follow Christ every day of our lives!
This Memorial of the Cross is dedicated to God's Eternal Glory and the strong Christian Faith of the Solomon
this page online
September 14th, 2018
By: Archbishop Christopher M. Cardone, OP
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 2018.
Location. 9° 26.147′ S, 159° 57.809′ E. Marker is in Honiara, Guadalcanal, in Capital Territory. It is at the intersection of Mendana Avenue and Mbokonavera Road, on the left when traveling west on Mendana Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Mendana Ave, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Melanesia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Joseph Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); First Meeting of the Assemblies of God Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2022
2. Memorial of the Cross Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
