RELIVING CHRIST’S PASSION

Annually, the whole Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Week. The faithful observe different practices such as fasting and abstinence, receiving the sacraments, especially the sacrament of confession, visita iglesia, chanting of pasyon, and much more. During Holy Week, from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, the Paschal Triduum is celebrated. The mystery of the faith is expressed as Catholics relive the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another typical scene in the Philippines is the re-enactment of the passion of Christ during Good Friday. The Filipinos call this activity Senakulo. Such activity is known throughout the Philippines, some of which is the world-renowned Senakulo in Pampanga, wherein the actor playing the role of Jesus Christ is nailed on the Cross. Even though known throughout the Philippines, such activity is rare in the highlands, Baguio City included.

Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary (CaReS) in Baguio City usually holds its Senakulo annually, but during the COVID-19 Pandemic, such activities were limited. This year, as the country returns to the ‘old normal,’ CaReS has seen it as an opportunity to rekindle the faith, evangelize, and teach the mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection through the Senako. Through the guidance of Rev. Fr. James Dexter Tanquis, OAR, and this year’s director, Bro. Roque James Sabas, the community was guided in creating a more extensive and realistic Senakulo.

During the season of Lent, seminarians and lay volunteers started their practices for the scenes in Senakulo 2023. Different parishes also provided support by providing volunteers from their parishes as characters for the Senakulo. Fr. Tanquis also saw the importance of propagating the activity in Baguio City. Hence, advertisements, radio, and television interviews were sought to encourage people to witness the activity.

The interviews and advertisements also allowed Fr. Tanquis and the seminarians to catechize the people about the Paschal Triduum and the Lenten religious and spiritual practices. Fr. Tanquis also said that the interviews became opportunities to promote vocation, especially the Augustinian Recollect Vocation.

The Senakulo was made possible through the seminary community’s efforts and different benefactors’ help. Other individuals, groups, and institutions provided financial aid to realize the event. The seminarians also solicitated funds for the event. The collected funds were used for the costumes, designs for physical arrangements, sound systems, and advertisements.

The event profoundly moved people. Hundreds of people from Baguio City, even pilgrims, witnessed the event. The presentation received positive and encouraging comments from the many spectators. The intensity of emotions and portrayal of the characters allowed the faithful present to reflect on the Passion of Christ.

The re-enactment of Jesus’ Passion and Death invoked a feeling of awe the children watching as they joined Christ in His agony and His triumphant resurrection.