Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox clergy take part in a special church service for the famous “Passion Play” (Passionsspiele) in Oberammergau, Germany, May 15, 2010. The play is a 350-year-old tradition of bringing the life of Jesus to the stage every 10 years. (CNS photo/Michaela Rehle, Reuters)
Oberammergau Passion Play
The world was in a panic. An unknown lethal disease was affecting everyone, especially the elderly. Known remedies proved inadequate, symptoms varied but the result was the same — overwhelmed hospitals, patients dying under severe conditions. The death toll was over 500,000 but estimated to be in the millions.
In response, the government closed its entry points. No one is allowed into the country, citizen or visitor. Travel in any form was forbidden, until science and the health community could find a solution to stop this radical pandemic. The future of humanity … only God knew.
Today, COVID-19 is one of the most epic of tragedies facing our modern world. But in the early 17th century, an unknown disease spreading across Europe and Asia like a wildfire also killed millions. Every town, village and hamlet undertook drastic measures. Each was guarded by sentries and lookouts to shield its residents from the silent, deadly and relentless killer — the bubonic plague. No one could enter or could leave without the proper clearances. The situation was hopeless.
Unless, that is, you turned to God in prayer.
For months, the small village of Oberammergau in Germany maintained precautionary measures against the bubonic death. That is, until the church festival of 1632, when a local resident Kasper Schisler (unknowingly infected) slipped past village guards and entered the village to visit family. Weeks later, the toll of his visit took effect when, almost overnight, 80 adults and children succumbed to the disease’s toxic affects.
In a state of desperation and fear, the whole community rallied in prayer, pleading for God’s intervention. They pledged that, if God would protect the village from the plague, its residents would host a play on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ every 10 years.
That very day, God answered the villagers’ prayers and none of its residence died even though some showed symptoms of the disease.
Beginning in 1634, the villagers fulfilled their pledge with the first Passion Play. They continued every 10 years until 1674 when the community decided to produce their sixth Passion Play in 1680 and every 10 years thereafter. Ironically, the 2020 Passion Play was delayed by COVID and rescheduled for 2022.
The Oberammergau Passion Play is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind performance. The cast, director, set designers and other participants must come from the local area to fulfill the village’s1634 vow.
Two 10-day pilgrimages from Hawaii will go to Oberammergau, Germany, in September to attend the Passion Play.
I will host one of them. The other will be hosted by Deacon Raul Perez of St Jude Church in Kapolei.
If you are interested in going, here is the contact information:
Deacon Gary Streff: 808-597-0413, streff.gerald@gmail.com
Deacon Raul Perez: 808-256-9000, rperez@rcchawaii.org
Deacon Gary Streff is the co-director of the diocesan Respect Life Office.
