Detroit — The Living Stations of the Cross, a production based on the Gospel of Mark and Pope John Paul II’s version of the Stations of the Cross, appeared last weekend to have struck a spiritual chord with those who saw — and prayed along with — the performance.
About 1,700 people attended the production on its opening weekend April 1-3 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. The stations will be performed through April 17, Palm Sunday.
“You want to say it was good or wonderful — but it was powerful,” said Nadine Mott, 57, a parishioner of St. Andrew Parish in Rochester who attended opening night April 1. “The voices were perfect for the part. It was beautiful. The songs were so meaningful.”
The Living Stations, a creation of the local Living Faith — Fine Arts Apostolate, indeed has Detroit’s cathedral transformed into a modern stage. Dynamic, multidirectional stage lighting cuts through an artificially created hazy atmosphere to accentuate changes in mood and scenery.
Along with a backdrop that changes seamlessly from one setting to the next, the performance appears successful in taking its audience along the way of the cross.
“During Lent, you feel like you want to be closer to God,” said Jennifer Stack, 33, of St. Stephen Parish in New Boston. “And seeing it, you feel it more when you’re praying.”
Kelly Nieto, who heads up the production, says the cast and crew have turned into a “strong family on a mission” during the performance. And while many members of the cast have had strong religious experiences thus far, Nieto says the performance has been a draw because people are in need of Christ.
“There is a great hunger and a desperation for the hope that only God and Jesus Christ can give us,” she said. “Here in Detroit, we’re facing some pretty financial, economic hard times. People are in desperate need of connecting with God.”
The Living Stations has been performed numerous times since 2000 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington. The cast of the Our Lady of Sorrows performance was present for the version at the cathedral on opening night, as well — and there was no shortage of praise from them.
“It was just great to see this as the next big step, bringing it beyond Sorrows,” said Philip Austin, a member of Holy Family Parish in Novi who this year plays an apostle at the Our Lady of Sorrows production.
“The people who are involved in this ministry do it because they do love Jesus,” he added. “And they want others to hear it and see it come to life, and to know that a lot of people do love Jesus — and there’s a good reason why.”
Performances of the Living Stations of the Cross run through April 17. For show times and more details, visit www.livingstations.org or call (248) 444-7695.
