As the 40-day Lenten season comes to a close, the Triduum reminds Catholics of the Passion of Jesus before the celebration of his Resurrection on Easter. The Triduum includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Saturday. After a hiatus, the Way of the Cross, more commonly known as Stations of the Cross, has returned to the Hill in an effort to help students and educators acknowledge these holy days.
This tradition seeks to depict Jesus’ passion, death and Resurrection through live actors, and it walks through the days of the Triduum and Easter. On Holy Thursday, Catholics remember the Last Supper and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Science and Religion Teacher Mr. Elliot Gray said, “The feet washing represents everyone being equal,” he continued, “We commemorate and remember the Last Supper to represent the Eucharist—the physical body and blood of Christ.”
Holy Thursday is followed by Good Friday, a solemn day for Catholics punctuated by thanksgiving and praise for Jesus’ sacrifice. “Good Friday is when Jesus dies; 3 p.m. is usually when we remember that, and there is no Mass,” Gray said. However, Catholics attend a service to remember Jesus’ death and receive pre-consecrated Eucharist. On Saturday, the Easter Vigil represents the first sign of Jesus’ Resurrection as churchgoers attend a Mass lasting about two to three hours.
Today, students and educators were able to witness the events of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection during the Stations of the Cross in the courtyard from 10:30 to 11:10 a.m. The production was organized by Campus Minister Dave Neeson and members of Catheatre.
Senior Carrie Dobrota played Jesus’ mother, Mary, and she said, “It was a great opportunity to step outside of a comedic, true stage role and into something that holds meaning for a lot of people,” she continued, “I love theater because it’s a chance to be a part of something larger than myself, and I love being able to bring stories and emotions to life for people.” The program included other actors, props and narrators, as well.
Gray closed saying, “I hope students take away that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life, and it wasn’t in a quick way. It was a passion, a suffering. Hopefully it’s a reminder of that suffering, and of the passion, and that this is a solemn time and also a joyous time when we celebrate Easter.”
