One local parish’s Easter weekend tradition is returning for the first time since COVID-19.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 111 W. Rio Grande St., is hosting its El Vía Crucis event Friday, March 29 at 3 p.m.
El Vía Crucis, which translates to “The Stations of the Cross” in English, is performed live by volunteer actors. The dialogue will be in Spanish, according to event coordinator Carmen Lavalle.
“We have a whole set of actors,” Lavalle said. “There’s Jesus, there’s soldiers, priests, and we just act the whole 14 stations. From the beginning from when he’s arrested to the end when he’s crucified.”
The Stations of the Cross depicts 14 moments during the Passion of Christ. The Passion is the biblical timeline of the time leading to Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
Lavalle said portraying the Stations of the Cross reminds participants that they are not alone in their suffering.
While the church normally puts on the Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent, Lavalle said she feels the reenactment helps bring people closer connection with the biblical events on Good Friday. “The live action of the actors helps the faithful visualize what happened in a way different way from viewing the traditional Stations of the Cross,” she said.
The action begins at the church and then processes down Rio Grande with each station.
Lavalle said rehearsals for performers, which includes about 30 volunteers, began about three months ago. Actors and actresses are responsible for memorizing their lines and meeting twice a week to prepare.
“We thought we weren’t going to be able to do it,” Lavalle said. “Previous years, they usually practice about six months so they can get it down right. Most of these actors have been doing this forever.”
El Vía Crucis coordinators are expecting the event to draw anywhere from 100 to 150 people.
“The people that are doing it, the volunteers, they have told me they enjoy doing this,” Lavalle said. “Getting feedback from people that actually come and watch it, the re-enactment helps people meditate on the great love and suffering Jesus had for us. It’s just a very powerful experience.”
Lavalle said everyone is welcomed to the El Vía Crucis, regardless of religion or language.
