The Resurrection

An inspirational sculpture to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee created by woodcarver Steve Worrall aided with designs from pupils of Shrewsbury Catholic Cathedral School

Carved from solid oak, the sculptured cross entitled The Resurrection has been inspired by artwork created by the pupils of Shrewsbury Catholic Cathedral Primary School. The cross, weighing 32kg and measuring 110cm has been fashioned by club member Steve Worrall and gifted to the school in celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. The cross was recently installed and unveiled at a jubilee prayer garden created at the school and blessed by Canon Chris Matthews of Shrewsbury Cathedral.

At the front of the cross is a carved scroll bearing the inscription INRI which in Latin represents - Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum that translates to Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews. The crossbar carries the letters - A and Ω, representing alpha and omega which are the first and last letters, respectively, of the classical Greek alphabet. Thus, the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" is interpreted by many to mean that Jesus has existed for all eternity.

The school motto AVA MARIA (Hail Mary) is inscribed at the base of the cross, together with the school crest, bearing the character representative of Saint Mary, integrated into a Syrian cross.

On the reverse of the cross the year of the Platinum Jubilee (2022), in Roman numerals - MMXXII is carved at the head. The heraldic crest of the Diocese of Shrewsbury can be found at the base of the cross. The crest bears an inverted leopard’s head and lily flower (fleur-de-lis) set into the red cross of Saint Chad. The leopard and lily (known as Jessant-de-lys) are derived from the crest of Saint Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford. The leopard in heraldry symbolises the royal arms of England and the lily signifies the Virgin Mary.

The most important element of the cross is not that, that can be seen, but that that cannot be seen. Central to the cross is the golden edged outline of Christ.