Students live out Stations

Jesus, Mary and Simon of Cyrene will come alive March 16 at St. Thomas Church in Delmar when Confirmation candidates reenact the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus by presenting the Living Stations of the Cross.

The production, staged in tableau form, consists of introductions, readings, reflections and meditations for the 14 Stations and an additional Station depicting Jesus' resurrection.

This is the fifth year the students have presented the Living Stations.

Each of the 125 tenth grade students in this year's Confirmation class plays a role in the production, according to Candice Stellato, coordinator for high school faith formation and Confirmation preparation.

Although students have their scripts and know what parts they're playing ahead of time, they don't actually rehearse together as a group until 6 p.m. on the night of the production; the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Since the students traditionally have seen the previous year's Living Stations of the Cross, however, they have a pretty good idea of how to stage their production with little preparation, Mrs. Stellato pointed out.

Each Station begins with an introduction that sets it up, such as Pilate condemning Jesus to death, Simon helping Jesus carry the cross, or Jesus meeting with the weeping women. A main character in each Station then gives a first-person account of his or her role in the events that transpired; other characters act out the scene being described.

The Station concludes with a reflection that describes the events from a contemporary perspective, and a meditation seeking God's help in applying the lesson to daily life.

The Living Stations give Confirmation candidates an opportunity to set an example for younger siblings and other youths who will make their Confirmation in future years, she said. In addition, students seem to develop an appreciation of the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

"We hope they gain a better understanding of what Jesus' passion and death means to us as a faith community," Mrs. Stellato said.

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