Acting as Jesus makes his portrayer feel reborn

Friday, Apr. 10, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The reenactment of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday proved to be more than a religious celebration for one of the men portraying Jesus during the devotion that retraces the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary.

Known in Latin as Via Crucis, the living Stations of the Cross is celebrated at many parishes in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. 

At Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, hundreds of devoted faithful gathered to join the parishioners who were selected to fill different roles during the representation.

For the last two years, Francisco Vaca, a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, has portrayed Jesus at the Via Crucis.

He prepared for his role by praying and listening to the Passion of Christ.

“My kids also inspired me a lot,” said Vaca.

For him this year was very different from last.

“This year I really felt Jesus alive in me,” said Vaca, with tears in his eyes; he has been unable to stop crying since the new fire was lit at the Easter Vigil, he said.

“I felt that Jesus was alive. At Mass I started feeling yesterday’s weeping; I felt how the Spirit really touched me,” Vaca said on Easter Sunday.

While portraying Jesus during the Via Crucis, Vaca was struck repeatedly by the people acting as the soldiers.

“At that moment I didn’t feel any pain or tiredness; … I was sad but at the same time filled with joy and love,” said Vaca.

During the reenactment, he  wore a real crown of thorns as well as walked barefoot for about 1.5 miles carrying a large, heavy and bulky wooden cross on his shoulders, the same way Jesus did.

“I know that God is alive; God is here with us. It was incredible to portray him.  He showed through me what He did for us …  that he forgives us for all the stuff that we have done,” said Vaca.

As he walked through the streets carrying the cross and falling as Jesus did, hundreds of Catholics and non-Catholics followed him, praying.

 “This is very important because we as Catholics – this is our tradition,” said Leticia Sotelo,  a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe who is originally from Guerrero, Mexico.

“I am very shocked. This is the first time I have ever seen it and it has really touched me,” said Germina Chavez, who is not Catholic but couldn’t keep the tears from her eyes.

Vaca said that he felt very compelled by the reaction of the people.

“When we ended the representation, people approached me and told me that they felt how God touched their hearts. I felt very happy that I could be His instrument. It was very special to see how other people were so touched,” said Vaca.

He also feels as if, after his experience, Jesus has lifted a big weight from his shoulders regarding his personal life, he said.

“This was a great experience that I would love to do it again, but I don’t want to be selfish. I want others to be able to feel what I felt.  I am so grateful for all that God has given me. I felt reborn,” said Vaca, whose family participated with him: His oldest daughter was one of the women of Jerusalem and his younger son represented an angel at the Resurrection.

“They are my pride and joy. They are what I live for,” said Vaca adding that teaching his children about Jesus and His love for humankind is very important.  “It should be one of our priorities as parents.”

His children are hearing his message. On Sunday, two days after the reenactment, his daughter approached him to say, ‘Daddy, I don’t care about the candy or anything. It’s all about Jesus and his love,’ he said. “This is just a beautiful Easter.”