The Mystery of the Passion of Christ is a two and a half hour stage play based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the New Testament. The play was adapted for the stage by Father Z. Francis Wawryszuk, M.S.F. and is unique to western Canada.
The Mystery of the Passion of Christ is neither theatre nor drama. It is the dignified presentation of a mystery that unfolds in the hearts of the actors and its purpose is to awaken reflection. The greatest and deepest of all the mysteries, which took place 2,000 years ago, is an on-going process and continues to be re-enacted at every moment of our lives, each and every day until the second coming of Christ at the end of time.
Over forty volunteers work together to prepare the set, costumes and music for the play. This is truly a Lenten journey in preparation for the great season of Easter. This inter-denominational group from Balgonie, Buchanan, Canora, Grayson, Melville, Preeceville, Sturgis and Yorkton, have set out to make this play an annual event as a prelude to Holy Week. At times during the play, the Choir enters the action serving as the crowd that, at the beginning, hailed Jesus as Messiah and which now condemns Him. The hymns also provide a musical bridge between scenes. Thus the Choir sets the mood and leads us to think rather than be entertained. If acting out the Mystery inspires a descent into the heart, it will have achieved its purpose.
Bookings are being accepted now for the 2010 and 2011 Lenten seasons by contacting the director, Peter Champagne at (306) 728-3617.
