DETROIT — Catholics in Metro Detroit will have several chances to enter more deeply into Christ’s death and resurrection through live re-enactments of Jesus’ Passion during Holy Week.

The Cross and the Light, formerly called the Living Stations of the Cross, will be performed each day during Holy Week except March 25 at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit. An “epic theatrical experience and deeply moving musical journey through Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection,” The Cross and the Light promises to

“This talent is incredible,” Kelly Neito, creator of the musical, told CatholicTV in an interview. “It’s been called the Broadway version of the Passion of the Christ.”

Since it started in 2002, more than 40,000 people have seen the performance, said Neito. For many years it was held at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“God allowed me to be brought to the foot of the cross,” said Neito, who was an atheist until age 35. “It changed me forever, and now I will spend the rest of my life with that mission of bringing others to the foot of the cross so they can experience Jesus’ final hours in a really personal and profound way.”

Most days, both a morning and an evening performance are offered. The first show is Palm Sunday, March 24, and the final performance will be Easter Sunday, March 31.
In addition, Doug Barry of EWTN will give three performances during Holy Week of his one-man Passion play at Detroit-area parishes.

Barry, who has given his dramatized meditation of Christ’s final hours for nearly a decade at parishes across the country, will perform at 7 p.m. March 24 at St. Mary Parish, Rockwood; 7 p.m. March 25 at St. Stephen Parish, New Boston; and at 7 p.m. March 27 at St. Anthony Parish, Temperance.

In addition to the Passion performances, Sr. Nancy Murray, an Adrian Dominican and the sister of Hollywood actor Bill Murray, will give a one-woman performance portraying the life and faith of St. Catherine of Siena on March 24.

The performance, “Catherine of Siena, A Woman for Our Times,” will be at 4 p.m. at St. Cyprian Parish, 13249 Pennsylvania Road, Riverview. There is no charge for attendance, but a free-will offering will be taken.