SAN ANTONIO — The Passion of the Christ re-enactment downtown is a beloved tradition in San Antonio. It returned Friday to the Alamo City for the first time since 2019 after being canceled two years in a row due to the pandemic.
This year's event began in Milam Park and ended in Main Plaza as usual, but a new route was used to accommodate downtown construction detours.
Instead of proceeding directly to San Fernando Cathedral, this year the procession, which provides a glimpse back in time to the biblical account of the crucifixion, headed north on Santa Rosa Street, then east on Travis, south on Flores and then east on Dolorosa before making it to Main Plaza for the culmination in front of San Fernando Cathedral around noon.
The re-enactment involves actors telling the story of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The procession through downtown represents the procession through the streets of Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified.
At a preview of the event earlier this year, Catholic leaders said in a war-torn world, the healing message of Easter is critically important.
“The pain and alienation that Jesus experienced is still present in the world today,” San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said. “There are many wounds afflicting our families, and communities: broken relationships, violence, addictions and poverty and around the globe, hunger, disease and war continue to take a tragic toll.”
