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DRAPER — Eighth-graders at St. John the Baptist Middle School are preparing for Christ's passion by re-enacting the "Living Stations of the Cross" for students, teachers and visitors to the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper.
It is a unique and inspirational experience for the 141 students who have spent the Lenten season preparing to share the "Way of the Cross" with their faith community.
Playing the role of a Roman soldier who tortured and crucified Christ has brought the passion to life for eighth-grader Nick Kasue.
"Until you actually play that role and you see how He was whipped and crucified, it really helps you realize what He went through," Nick said.
It is the difference between reading about the passion and being able to feel Jesus' suffering and sacrifice in your heart, the students say.
Eighth-grader Cole Moore plays Jesus in the 12th Station of the Cross.
"Jesus dies on the cross," Cole said. "Jesus knew that everyone has a spot in their heart that they are truly with God, and sometimes they just don't show it — some do, some don't. And He knew that and that is why He died on the cross for us."
"Once we started Stations, I was deeply moved and I loved it. I reflect on it almost every day," said eighth-grader Sydney Ross, who plays Mary, mother of Jesus, in the Fifth Station.
Once we started Stations, I was deeply moved and I loved it. I reflect on it almost every day.
–Sydney Ross, Jesus' mother in the Fifth Station
The students are doing the type of heartfelt reflection on their faith that Peri Flanagan was hoping the teenagers would experience over the course of Lent. She introduced the "Living Stations of the Cross" to the school when she was a theology teacher there 15 years ago.
"All of us at any time of any day could be a Roman, we could be Jesus, we could be Mary. We're flawed and yet we're not," Flanagan said.
The students have been humbled by their roles. Eighth-grader Michelle Sluga plays Mary, mother of Jesus, in Station 13.
"The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross," Michelle said, explaining what happens during her station. "I just can't even imagine how Mary felt at that moment when her child has just died."
Eighth-grade theology teacher Maria Moynihan has offered constant support and inspiration to her students during the hours of study and practice for the "Living Stations of the Cross."
While Moynihan knows it has been hard for her students to take on these powerful roles, she said, "They're just so thirsty for something deeper, for meaning in their lives, for something to hold onto, for hope, for meaning and purpose."
The students' roles were actually chosen for them by their classmates. Eighth-grader Piper Van Der Sluys plays Veronica, the woman who wipes blood and sweat off Jesus' face.
"When she (Veronica) sees people who are in need, hungry or something like that, she would go up to them and help them out," Piper said; "and I feel like I would do the same thing if someone was in need like that."
Sydney calls her classmates' decision to have her play the role of Jesus' mother, "a humbling experience" that "makes me feel a lot better about myself."
The students all hope that those who walk the "Way of the Cross" with them this Holy Week will feel better about their relationship with God.
"I feel like the community, when they go around the stations, it will touch them like it touches the actors in the stations," Piper said.
Moynihan agreed, saying, "As the community walks through this prayer with them, everyone is moved and everyone is joined with Jesus in his suffering."
Students will perform the "Living Stations of the Cross" again Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Bell Tower Circle at the Skaggs Catholic Center, 300 E. 11800 South, Draper.
Contributing: Carole Mikita
