Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published April 6, 2007

Photos by Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic St. Bartholomew eighth-grader Emonie Mitchell, playing the Biblical character of Veronica, wipes the face of seventh-grader Larry Johnson, who is portraying the role of Jesus. The scene was part of a Passion play performed this holy week by students in the Detroit-based school.

Detroit — The images of waving palms, rigid Roman soldiers, wailing women and a bloodied King of the Universe aren't just elements to be read about in the Gospel for many students throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Come Easter time, Catholic school students, such as those at St. Bartholomew school on Detroit's east side, bring the final hours before Jesus' crucifixion to life by acting out the Passion of the Lord.

"It gives us a chance to tell people about the time of Jesus," says Tiffany Anderson, a student who was a narrator for an April 3 performance of the Passion at St. Bartholomew. "We have to be grateful because He died for us on the cross."

Upperclassmen at St. Bartholomew played the key roles of the school's Passion play — a tradition at the school for three years now. Students from the lower grades also took part, waving palms, singing songs and witnessing what Jesus went through.

"It's to get them to learn the story, about what really happened, and to experience what it felt like to be there and be a part of that scene," said Sue Papin, a teacher at St. Bartholomew who coordinated the play. "You are a supporter of Jesus, and here your best friend is being crucified – how would you feel? How would you react to that?"

Students in the play had strong reactions to their roles.

Eighth-grader Emonie Mitchell said she could identify with her character, Veronica, who comforted Jesus on His way of the cross.

"She was very sad," Emonie said. "It was dramatic, and I am a very dramatic person, so I can take hold of that."

Larry Johnson, as Jesus, walks as others wave palms to reenact His entrance intoJerusalem.

Her classmate, Joshua Lee, played Pontius Pilate. He had conflicting feelings because it was good that Christ died to forgive sinners, but tragic to know that Pilate would condemn an innocent man.

"Basically, I'm the one who got Jesus crucified," Joshua said. "It isn't too satisfying because Jesus is a wonderful person, so you just have to play the role."

The role of Jesus was performed by seventh-grader Larry Johnson. He said the experience was educational.

"I'm doing stuff in the play that I already know, and I'm also learning stuff," Larry said. "I learned the way He walked into Jerusalem, and the words He said before He started the Last Supper."

Parents and teachers at the school helped with the costumes and props. Principal Sharon Perko said the Passion play is a tradition that St. Bartholomew will carry into the future, with improvements each year. It's a memory that can stay with students a long time, she said.

"This is what Catholics do. This is what we believe in," Perko said. "It's important that they are involved in Church history, and this remains to be factual. Many of the students don't go to church, and by doing this, later in life they do convert and they do come back."