Downtown San Antonio is gearing up for its annual Good Friday Passion Play, with a large-scale procession set to begin at Travis Park at 10 a.m. and wrap up at Main Plaza in front of San Fernando Cathedral. Thousands are expected to pack the route for the dramatic retelling of Christ’s trial and crucifixion, a long-running production that reliably draws both devoted worshippers and curious onlookers from across the region.
What to expect
The reenactment will kick off at Travis Park and wind through downtown streets before ending at Main Plaza by the cathedral. Organizers have announced a volunteer cast that includes Abel Patino Paramo as Jesus, Frenzy Lizardi Maldonado as Mary, John Austin as Pilate, Joawuin Velasquez as Herod and Edgar Holguin as Caiaphas. The San Antonio Passion Play dates back to 1983, and organizers note that the wooden cross used in early stagings weighed about 150 pounds while today’s prop comes in at roughly 50 pounds, as reported by KSAT.
History and broadcast
Presented by San Fernando Cathedral and staged by volunteers from parishes across the city, the Passion Play has been performed along downtown streets since the early 1980s and has drawn massive crowds in past years, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The Express-News also notes that the procession has been carried live on Catholic Television of San Antonio (CTSA), giving viewers a way to follow along if they cannot make it downtown in person.
Traffic and tips for watching
Organizers are warning drivers to expect road closures and delays along the route, so plan for extra travel time or consider using transit alternatives, KSAT says. Travis Park is located at 301 E Travis St and the finale will take place at Main Plaza in front of San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, according to the City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation directory and the San Fernando Cathedral. Those who prefer to watch from home can look for CTSA’s live coverage on Channel 15 and on CTSA’s digital platforms.
Community note
The production is put together almost entirely by volunteers and is performed largely in Spanish, a format organizers say helps preserve local devotion and keeps participation rooted in the surrounding community, the San Antonio Express-News reports. If you plan to attend in person, arrive early, since crowd control measures and staging areas will be in effect along the route.
