Clowns' Stations touching audiences

"Say hello to Marmeldook," a narrator's voice instructs, beginning a presentation unique to the Albany Diocese: The "Way of the Cross in the Company of Clowns."

The Clown Ministry Associates -- a group of 20 Catholics from around the Diocese -- have been performing the Way of the Cross since 1987. That was when three professional clowns and a transitional deacon at St. Patrick's parish in Ravena got together to find a way to use clowning in a "spiritual vein."

From all over

Today, the Associates range from 10-year-olds to grandparents, and they hail from and perform at churches all over the Diocese twice a week during Lent. Two members of the group are deacons.

Young members who leave for college are presented with the farewell gift of a clown's derby hat and white gloves, and many squeeze in a performance or two when they're home on vacation.

"It's kind of a humble group," explained Jack Ablett, a founding member of Clown Ministry. "We do it out of love for Christ."

Story of Christ

"Nothing is right," declares Marmeldook at the beginning. "I am in total darkness."

In response, the spirit invites the clown to meet his friend: Jesus, "the author of truth." Carrying a lighted candelabra, the spirit leads Marmeldook from Station to Station in a darkened church, explaining Jesus' struggles as they relate to the clown's life.

Halfway through the journey, Marmeldook takes the lead, learning to interpret Jesus' life himself. By the presentation's end, the sad clown has learned to rejoice in the empty cross at the Resurrection, and joyful clowns mime and play before descending on the audience with hugs and stickers.

Changes

The latter change took place because many later-built churches where the troupe performed didn't have Stations of the Cross. The crosses held by the clowns read simply, "fallen" (for "Jesus falls the first time") or "a woman dares" (for "Veronica wipes the face of Jesus").

Some things haven't changed: To this day, Rev. John Mealey's voice is heard on the tape that introduces the clowns; Father Mealey died in 1997.

Everyman

The only humor in the clowns' performance is at the beginning, when two happy clowns try to cheer up Marmeldook, and in some of the sad clown's questions to the spirit. At one Station, for example, the spirit explains that Jesus told the women of Jerusalem, "Do not weep for me, but for yourselves and for your children."

"How can you weep for your own sins when a lot of them are fun?" Marmeldook replies. Then the spirit reminds him that God understands that and can help him, one day at a time.

Journey to Calvary

"Let the whole world kneel down here," says the spirit, and the audience follows suit.

At the following Station, Marmeldook ponders what Mary must be thinking as she holds her son's body as, in the background, the "Ave Maria" plays. During a recent presentation at St. Ambrose Church in Latham, the church was silent except for the sound of an elderly woman blowing her nose, moved to tears.

Controversy

However, the Abletts noted that those who come to the clowns' presentation find they have nothing to protest. "If that gentleman [who protested] had come, he would have realized this is not a fun thing," Mr. Ablett explained.

The group shrugs off any criticism. "I feel we're doing the Lord's work, and the Lord will protect us," Mrs. Ablett declared.

As a matter of fact, the pair noted, one man leaving St. Paul's after their "controversial" presentation was quoted as saying tearfully, "May God forgive me if I had not come tonight....I did not want to come."

Audience support

Their audience seemed to agree. After the performance at St. Ambrose, one parishioner said with some embarrassment, "It's the first time I ever paid attention to the Stations of the Cross!"

Everyone seemed to take to heart the message that ends the clowns' presentation. The spirit says to Marmeldook: "Go now, and be of good cheer."

(E-mail the Clown Ministry Associates at [email protected].)

(04-01-99) [[In-content Ad]]