Verghese V Joseph & Dr. Magimai Pragasam –
Chennai: In a vibrant celebration of Palm Sunday on March 24, 2024, the De Sales International Film and Media Academy (DeSIFMA) joined forces with the parish youth of the ‘Church of Immaculate Conception’, Chromepet, Chennai, to deliver a stunning sound and light extravaganza titled ‘The Calvary’. With the active participation of approximately 60 enthusiastic youth, this mega production captivated the hearts of around two thousand spectators.
Under the directorship of Fr. J. Stephen MSFS, alongside the expertise of Dr. Magimai Pragasam, the Dean of Studies, and Fr. Naveen Nirmal MSFS, the Coordinator of DeSIFMA, the event unfolded with precision and passion. Spearheaded by Fr. Backiya Regis, the Parish Priest, and aided by Fr. Louis Britto, the Assistant Parish Priest, meticulous planning ensured the success of the event.
An impressive 80-foot stage served as the platform for the enactment, supported by top-notch professionals in light and sound systems, as well as costume and make-up artists. Fr. Stephen emphasised the importance of empowering youth by allowing them to choose roles that resonate with them, fostering a deep commitment to the production.
“There is no dearth of skills among the youth. We need to tap them adeptly by motivating them and acknowledging their talents. As the passion play involves many characters, and the youth have their own imagination, we asked them to choose the roles they like so that they could involve themselves and commit themselves deeply to the play,” said the director, Fr. Stephen.
Despite logistical challenges, such as coordinating schedules around the youths’ availability, innovative solutions like utilising WhatsApp for audio track distribution ensured seamless execution. Fr. Backiya Regis set the tone for the project by urging participants to approach their roles with reverence and piety, emphasising the reenactment’s spiritual significance.
“It is a challenging task for us as the youth are free only in the evenings, and all are not free all days. Hence, we spliced the audio track according to the characters and sent them to all the members through the WhatsApp group created for the event, and that worked well for us,” said Fr. Naveen.
“You are not actors, and this is not a drama. This is re-creating the true events that happened during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. You need to perform with reverence and piety. If possible, all of you can observe fasting or sacrifice any one thing that you can till the event day,” said Fr. Backiya Regis on the very first meeting with the youth.
Inspired by cinematic masterpieces like Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’, Fr. Stephen infused the production with additional music and sound effects to evoke a profound emotional response from the audience. The result was a deeply moving experience, with attendees expressing feelings of spiritual connection and reflection.
“I was so inspired by Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ movie, and this motivated me to focus more on the agony that our Lord went through before His death. I added more music and sound effects that could touch the hearts of the people, enabling them to meditate on the Lord’s sacrifice for us,” said Fr. Stephen when talking about the production part of the play.
Witnessing the power of youth firsthand, parishioners lauded the event as a testament to the potential of young individuals when provided with opportunities to shine. For many, the performance served as a catalyst for personal transformation, prompting decisions and commitments towards a renewed spiritual journey.
“I was emotionally moved, and my eyes were filled with tears throughout the programme,” said a parishioner. “I felt as if I was witnessing the events in Jerusalem as it happened,” she added.
“We could witness the power of youth. When avenues are created, they exhibit their potentials. These kinds of opportunities should be provided in other places too,” said another parishioner.
“Every year, ‘Lent season’ is an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in the life of Jesus intensely and get transformed. This programme touched my heart. I have made some decisions. I am a new person now,” said another parishioner with tears on his eyes.
In a heartfelt expression of gratitude, Fr. Packiya Regis commended Fr. Stephen MSFS, the DeSIFMA team, parishioners, and all contributors for their dedication and support, underscoring the programme’s prayerful and emotional impact. As Palm Sunday concluded, the echoes of ‘The Calvary’ lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the community and reaffirming the power of collaboration, creativity, and faith.