San Antonio's Good Friday is marked with a profound representation of faith, as thousands of locals and visitors line the downtown streets to witness The Passion of Christ re-enactment. This year, the event initiates at Travis Park at 9:30 a.m. with an ecumenical prayer service, followed by the portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion in front of the Cathedral at noon, and a traditional Hispanic Good Friday service at 1 p.m. with Archbishop Gustavo. An afternoon of prayer and Holy communion is set for 3 p.m., and confessions will round off at 4 p.m. in the Main Plaza, according to a KENS 5 report.
In what has become an annual tradition, the re-enactment is run by a cast of dedicated volunteers, individuals from various walks of life who dedicate their time to bring this historical story to life for the community. Edgar Holguin is both the director and actor in this year's performance, playing the role of one a main soldier. "I've been doing it for almost 23 years," Holguin told KENS 5. The play, which began at 9:30 a.m., is expected to draw roughly 10,000 spectators.
The re-enactment, designed to be a bilingual event to accommodate the diverse community, brings actors and volunteers to rehearse for weeks leading up to the big day. This commitment to authenticity requires a significant level of dedication. Holguin acknowledged the difficulties of working with an all-volunteer cast. "Trying to get them to one, show up to practice. Second, to memorize their lines," he explained. For many, the last acting experience might have been in a fifth-grade play, but Holguin encourages them to relax, learn, and memorize, ensuring "everything comes in play."
19-year-old Raul Garcia, a freshman at UTSA, has taken on the pivotal role of Jesus this year—a task he regards with solemn responsibility. "It's not an easy task to fill his shoes," Garcia told KENS 5 in an interview. Reflecting the ongoing uncertainty brought by the pandemic, the directors have prepared for any last-minute changes by having an understudy for Jesus, ensuring the show will go on.
The evening will conclude with a vigil for the sorrowful mother at 7 p.m., symbolizing a funeral vigil for the Virgin Mary. This portion of the event includes an outdoor procession around Main Plaza and an opportunity for the community to offer their condolences to the Virgin Mary. For San Antonians and visitors, Good Friday is enriched not just by witnessing this re-enactment, but by the knowledge that the volunteers who bring it to life do so with a fervor stemming from deep within their faith, according to the involvement invitation extended by Olga Villaseñor, a volunteer since 1999, who encourages the public to join regardless of church affiliation—emphasizing the collaborative effort of churches within the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
