Poland: A Passion Play That Strengthens the Community 

Tradition with a twist

The latest season of the Passion Play has begun—an event that has drawn large audiences for years and has become an important part of the spiritual experience of this special time in the liturgical year. 

This marks the third year since the revival of the mystery play following a thirteen-year hiatus. However, the tradition of performances staged in Stadniki has a much longer history. They began in 1982, and the author of the first script was the seminarian Jan Strzałka, who later became the rector of the seminary. At that time, the seminarians received professional support from actor Stanisław Kieresiński. Today, the performance has taken on a new form. The roles of witnesses to the events of two thousand years ago are played not by seminarians, as in the past, but by laypeople—children, youth, and adults. The cast of over sixty people consists of individuals from various backgrounds who share one thing in common: faith and a desire to bear witness together.

The opening weekend showed that the Mystery Play still moves audiences. The auditorium in Stadniki—as it does every year—was filled to capacity. However, what is seen on stage is only part of a larger story.

A community that is alive

The actors in the Mystery Play don’t just meet for rehearsals before the performance. They form a community that is active throughout the year. Their monthly meetings are not merely about organization or theater. They always begin with Holy Mass and a homily. The Dehonian priests have taken on the spiritual guidance of the entire group, ensuring that preparation for the mystery play is also a path of year-round formation. “Maintaining the performers in such a spiritual state is extremely important,” emphasizes director Piotr Piecha. After all, the performance touches on events that, for Christians, lie at the very heart of the faith. That is why the preparations for the performance are often referred to by the participants themselves as a special retreat.

Spiritual experience

The Passion Play differs from an ordinary theatrical performance. It is not merely an artistic interpretation of events from the life of Jesus. For many people, it is, above all, a spiritual experience—both for the actors and for the audience. This is also emphasized by the director of the production, who has been accompanying the troupe in their preparations for over 20 seasons:

“We are all non-actors; we cross that threshold; we are participants in the mystery. Because what happens in the hearts and souls of those who come here, watch, but who also participate, experience, and bear witness to it, testifies that we are crossing the threshold of the theater; it is a mystery, that is, a spiritual experience. Of course, we strive to ensure that everything is of the highest quality. Just because it’s amateur theater doesn’t mean it isn’t professional.”

Testimony of Faith

The director’s role is not merely to guide the actors on stage. It is also about bringing out the authenticity and spiritual dimension of the performance. Most of the performers are deeply religious and wish to bear witness to their faith through theater. Although the actors are amateurs, their dedication is evident in every detail. Furthermore, the play’s script, set design, costumes, and lighting—all prepared with great care—help the audience delve deeper into the drama of Christ’s passion and sacrifice.

It is no wonder, then, that the performances in Stadniki become for the audience not only an artistic event, but also a moment of prayer and reflection. The Passion Play invites us to pause and contemplate the mystery of Christ’s Passion and to experience more deeply the journey leading to Easter.