Notre Dame College teacher and scriptwriter Les Billings is feeling “uplifted” ahead of the religious display, quietly confident the cast of around 13 has “hit the mark again”.
The live theatrical show is a 14-step Catholic devotion commemorating the final day of Jesus Christ’s life on Earth.
Mr Billings has been tasked with writing the script for the production each year, for more than a decade, and has been involved in various roles for a further 10 years prior.
This year’s script follows the story of one of Jesus’ most prominent followers, a witness to his crucifixion, and the first person to see him after his resurrection.
“The focus character is Mary Magdalene, who is struggling to accept what Jesus is doing carrying a cross to his own death; a common struggle that many Catholics have during Holy Week,” Mr Billings said.
“Stations of the Cross follows Jesus' passion; from being condemned, dying on the cross and being laid in the tomb.
“It is a powerful story of Jesus suffering as a human to save us from our sins.”
Mr Billings said the cast and crew presented the 14 stations in a “very authentic way” by freezing at each one and stopping for a moment of reflection in silence or through a song.
“The story itself is enough to prompt deep reflection and personal challenges to us all,” Mr Billings said.
“At St Brendan’s we add some extra dialogue at each station, delivered by mainly biblical characters who become part of the scene and offer the congregation a means to enter into deeper reflection.”
The tradition of the annual performance was created more than three decades ago by parishioner and church organist Dale Wright, who produces the show that plays at the Knight St church on Good Friday each year.
Mr Wright said it was a powerful experience with the church in darkness, stage lighting, and thunder and lightning sound effects booming as the cast moved around the stations.
“We have a ecumenical service where we welcome all faiths; people travel from all around Victoria to see it each year,” he said.
“At the end of the ceremony, the congregation is asked to light a candle with intention to bring forward to the front of the church.”
Stations of the Cross begins at 8pm on Good Friday.
The performance goes for around 40 minutes, with the remainder of the service taking a further 20 minutes.
No bookings are required and all are welcome.
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