Around 33 A.D., the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea serving under the Roman Emperor Tiberius faced a difficult choice. Go against an angry crowd or put an innocent man to death.
That governor, Pontius Pilate, caved to political pressure.
While some people might not give that much thought to circumstances surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, Seamus Hennessy most certainly has dwelled on it in recent weeks.
For Hennessy, a senior at Carl Sandburg High School, it was important to understand the mindset of Pilate in order to portray him in a Passion play last weekend at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish in Orland Park. The production was part of the church’s Holy Week activities preceding Easter Sunday.
“I don’t really mind being the bad guy,” said Hennessy, shortly before a 4: 30 p.m. Mass and performance Saturday. “It’s more about projecting my voice to give as accurate a depiction as possible. I did a little research about who he (Pontius Pilate) was. He felt remorseful after he did it.”
Hennessy was among 41 teen members of St. Michael’s parish who offered up their acting and musical talents for the annual production, which included two additional Sunday performances.
The purpose of their effort was to enhance parishioners’ understanding of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who Catholics and other Christians believe died for their sins, said the Rev. Frank Kurucz, pastor at St. Michael’s.
“When we see this acted out, we come to enter more deeply into that understanding,” Kurucz told his congregation. “These kids are amazing. They all have a lot going on. They have to study for school. They have sports. Some have jobs. We really have to thank them.”
Based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, the play commanded the attention of parishioners who packed the pews and remained pin-drop silent for a story line that was hard to ignore.
Set in ancient times, the play encompasses ill-fated prophecies, disturbing omens, heartbreaking betrayals, moral dilemmas, political pressures, and intense suffering and death. But ultimately, the message is about love, shown by the heroic messiah, Jesus, who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save others and ensure the forgiveness of sins.
“We have always loved seeing what the kids do with the passion play,” said longtime parish member Lynne Wojcik. “It left me in tears. What’s pretty remarkable, these are teenagers, and they manage to stay in character. They don’t crack a smile, and they really assume serious roles and perform with a great deal of respect.”
Wojcik’s daughter was a teen when the family began attending St. Michael’s. She now lives an hour’s drive away in Indiana and brought her daughters, ages 9 and 11.
“To me that’s a real testament to the value of the play,” Wojcik said, “that someone grown and gone would bring their children to see this.”
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Jesus’ crucifixion concludes with his mother, Mary, weeping, as portrayed by Paige Kohlstedt, dressed in a blue satin veil and flowing robe.
“This offers a way to get closer to our faith, and to understand what happened,” said Kohlstedt, a Marist High School senior who grew up attending the parish. “I always liked watching the Passion as a young child.”
Years later, performing in the play offered Kohlstedt something more — the chance to deepen friendships.
“I have good friendships with seniors, but I’ve also gotten closer with sophomores and juniors,” she said. “It’s been a chance to make fun memories.”
She wasn’t alone in saying this.
James Siegler, a senior at Brother Rice, memorized four lines to play a man in the angry crowd pressing for Jesus’ execution. “They’re important lines,” he said. “Plus, it’s been kind of fun to be with everyone and pretend to get rowdy.”
“It’s tradition, and it’s a good time with friends,” said Zach Barrett, a junior at Carl Sandburg High School. Wearing a crested helmet, armor and the red pleated skirt of a Roman officer, he played the centurion who proclaimed after Jesus’s death, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
Five teenage girls, dressed in colorful flowing robes and sashes, took turns narrating the play. Among them were three seniors from Sandburg — Camyrn Friel, Julia Barry and Teagan Shanklin — who said they were there to learn about their faith but also to have fun.
Two of the narrators said they reaped additional benefits.
“I like public speaking, and this gave me a chance to practice those skills,” said Naya Padayao, a Sandburg senior.
Kaylee McClain, a senior at Mother McAuley High School, said, “I always appreciate theatre and this gave me a chance to practice.”
Like the others, Ethan Scheel, participated in the hour-and-a-half evening rehearsals four nights a week, starting just after Ash Wednesday in late February.
To play Jesus, the Marist senior had to memorize the lion’s share of lines, wear a crown of thorns, and be OK with being tied to a cross barefoot and bare-chested and pretending to die.
The hardest part, he said, was managing to stay relaxed while eight other teens carried him on their shoulders as Jesus’ lifeless, enshrouded body.
“They dropped me a couple of times in the rehearsals,” he said with a smile. “But it’s been fun to be with my friends and other teens, to be able to make some good memories together. We’ve had a lot of laughs.”
The play was a planned activity of Quest, the parish’s program to engage high school students in further exploring their faith.
“Most of these kids attended St. Michael’s elementary school, but they’ve moved on to different high schools,” said Rose Koch, youth minister for the church. “This is a continuation of their faith formation, and it helps keep them involved and together.”
Quest serves 150 teens with meetings, discussions and activities held in parish members’ homes twice a month, Koch said.
The program’s other Holy Week activities involved parish teens in preparing Easter baskets for children whose families would receive food baskets through the Society of St. Vincent DePaul.
Susan DeGrane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.