I Thought Santino Was Shot At The Tollbooth
Never mind waiting for the face of Jesus to appear on your toast and make you an e*bay thousandaire. Now a company in Italy will let you have the face of a saint appear on your cellphone screen, in the form of a digital "holy card" or santino.
A company in Italy started offering the service on Tuesday but ran into opposition from some Catholic Church leaders who think the idea is crass and commercial.
"We found a need and filled it," Barbara Labate, who came up with the idea with her business partner in a cellphone services company based in Milan, told Reuters by telephone.
Many taxis, private cars and trucks in Italy have a small picture of a saint -- known as a "santino" or little saint -- taped to the dashboard. Millions of Italians also keep wrinkled and worn "santini" in their wallets or handbags.
"We are merely catching up with the times. I think this will appeal to young people as well as grandmothers," Labate said.
I must admit that I've shouted out the names of many saints and deities over cellphone calls, but mostly after hanging up. But now, for three euros, you can finally get Jesus on the phone.
A company in Italy started offering the service on Tuesday but ran into opposition from some Catholic Church leaders who think the idea is crass and commercial.
"We found a need and filled it," Barbara Labate, who came up with the idea with her business partner in a cellphone services company based in Milan, told Reuters by telephone.
Many taxis, private cars and trucks in Italy have a small picture of a saint -- known as a "santino" or little saint -- taped to the dashboard. Millions of Italians also keep wrinkled and worn "santini" in their wallets or handbags.
"We are merely catching up with the times. I think this will appeal to young people as well as grandmothers," Labate said.
I must admit that I've shouted out the names of many saints and deities over cellphone calls, but mostly after hanging up. But now, for three euros, you can finally get Jesus on the phone.
