Our Lady of Sorrows parishioner, Sarah Evangelista sings several songs in her role as Mary in "The Passion Through Mary's Eyes," a live presentation of Christ's Passion at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington.Courtesy of John Santilli
Farmington — When Our Lady of Sorrows member Larry Smentowski was working to retool the parish’s live re-enactment of Christ’s Passion, he looked to the Blessed Mother.
“Given that we are Our Lady of Sorrows, it made sense to think about the Passion in this way, through Mary’s eyes,” Smentowski said.
He and friend Jeff Barron, also a parishioner, took on the task of writing a new script and selecting music to tell the story from Mary’s perspective. They used the Seven Sorrows of Mary and the Five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary as their guide. The Gospels served as the basis for the script.
Last year, the parish presented “The Passion Through Mary’s Eyes” for the first time on Palm Sunday and the preceding Friday. Approximately 1,000 people attended each showing.
This isn’t the first time Our Lady of Sorrows has hosted a Passion drama. In 2002, parishioner Kelly Nieto began “The Living Stations of the Cross” at the Farmington parish, eventually taking the presentation to a larger format with professional talent, produced nationally as “The Cross and the Light.”
Now, the parish has a new production to carry on the tradition. Parishioner Sarah Evangelista has played Mary 10 times throughout the years, including last year’s new version. She sings three songs as part of the role.
“When the cast walks out at the end, we walk up the center aisle of the church and we can hear people crying,” she said. “They can really feel that emotion of the Passion because it appeals to different senses. This is not a performance, it’s a ministry — a prayer.”
The new “Passion Through Mary’s Eyes” brought strong emotions for Evangelista as well, beginning with the opening scene presenting Jesus in the temple.
“It’s so powerful to think about Mary and what she went through. Yes, she was perfect, but she was still a mom and experienced that unimaginable pain of watching her son die,” Evangelista said. “We all know Jesus died on the cross for us, but this takes it down to a human level and puts you right there with the people in His life.”
Each January, 70 parishioners of all ages begin weekly rehearsals. Two of the principal roles are played by high school students. Many new participants have no previous experience, but Smentowski says God always sends the right person for the part.
“I give people the part and tell them to research the person they’ll be playing,” Smentowski said. “Afterward they’ll say, ‘You know, I wasn’t sure about that character at first but that was really the right part for me.’”
Acting isn’t the only talent needed to stage the presentation. The parish uses professional sound and lighting equipment on which volunteers are trained. An attentive stage crew sets the scene that transforms the altar into the hill at Calvary.
Often whole families will get involved. Evangelista’s husband plays a Roman soldier and her two elementary-age daughters are children in the crowd. Smentowski’s wife and children help with lighting, makeup, costumes and acting.
“It’s been a blessing to our family, to spend time in the church with people from our parish telling the story of the Passion,” Smentowski said. “We make this our Lenten prayer each year.”
Fr. Mark Brauer, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, says the tradition has strengthened the parish.
“This ministry has enlivened the faith of so many, both those who participate and those who come to see it. They have a conversion experience,” Fr. Brauer said. “I’ve seen people become more involved in the parish as a result.”
One person who attended the presentation told Fr. Brauer he had never experienced God’s love for him before, but had witnessed it that night.
“It’s a wonderful way to enter into Holy Week, to walk through Christ’s Passion and death to the hope of his Resurrection,” Fr. Brauer said. “Seeing the characters in front of you has a profound effect. Then later in the week as we hear the Scripture readings, we can picture it, and it truly transforms the way we experience the Triduum.”
‘The Passion Through Mary’s Eyes’
Where: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 23815 Power Road, Farmington
When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, and Sunday, March 20
To attend: No tickets required; free-will donation
‘The Cross and the Light’
Where: Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods; and St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights
When: March 10-12 and March 17-20, respectively (times vary)
To attend: RSVP for free tickets at www.crossandlight.com
