About the Franciscan Mystery Plays
The Franciscan Mystery Plays are dramatic multi-media presentations of "The Way of the Cross", "The Birth of Jesus", and "Jesus, The Healer", “The Mysteries of Light”, and St. Francis, “The Jesus Fire”. They are presented in Churches throughout the United States and Canada from October to April.
Written and directed by Father Francis Pompei, ofm, a Franciscan Friar from Holy Name Province, New York, the Mystery Plays are made up of approximately 12-16 teenagers and 4-6 adults. The performances are in the tradition of the medieval Mystery Plays that were frequently sponsored by Franciscans who advocated popularizing scriptural events.
THE MYSTERY PLAYS call for no speaking parts. Through the use of special lighting, inspirational music, drama, and soul-searching meditations, a person is able to get in touch with themselves, their goodness, suffering, struggles, and their sins. Then, in a very unique way it becomes a prayerful vehicle for the Lord's spirit to Forgive, Heal, Renew, and give Peace.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
This presentation follows the journey of the Stations of the Cross in Jesus passion and death. The meditations draw from the Lord’s life , a message for us and the world we live in today. The mystery play becomes a concrete experience of the Lord’s love for each of us and an instrument for Jesus to forgive, heal, and give new life.
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JESUS THE HEALER
This presentation is just what the title says. It is a living-guided meditation on all aspects of human suffering, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It deals with the overwhelming experiences of physical pain, sin and scars from our past, chronic, emotional, and terminal illness. The Lord will lead us to our painful experiences of grief and the loss of loved ones and death itself. Then, in a way that only our God could do, the Lord reveals His healing presence to all this suffering and offers the experience of hope, healing, and peace. At the conclusion of this presentation there is an opportunity for people to come forward for individual prayers for healing with the mystery players. This mystery play was written to give hope and healing to people who are suffering and broken. It makes for a wonderful parish or community healing service.
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THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
The five sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary are reflected on in this living meditation on the Passion and Death of Jesus. This evening begins with a prayer service, intercessory prayer to the Blessed Mother, and features some of the teen mystery players who witness to their experience of Jesus and their relationship with Him and how the Lord affects their lives. Following this Prayer and Witnessing the Mystery Play is presented and follows the Rosary Devotion ritual. The great hope in our sufferings is Jesus who embraced the cross and his own passion and death, so that He can be with us in ours. Through praying this mystery play, Jesus gives that hope and grace to endure and conquer our pain and suffering.
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THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT
The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary Mystery Play is offered as a parish mission in Church sanctuaries and is a living meditation that offers an opportunity to contemplate with the Blessed Mother, the face of Christ. The Rosary:
“Meditations on The Lord and Our Salvation”. The evening consists of an opening prayer experience with your community, faith witnessing by mystery player teens, and an introduction to the rosary. The evening will conclude with the Mystery Play meditation, “THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT”.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS “A Franciscan Christmas”
"The Birth of Jesus" 'A Franciscan Christmas' is based on St. Francis' recreation of the Nativity at Greccio, Italy, over 800 years ago. The Christmas mystery play is not a Christmas pageant, but attempts to portray the events surrounding the Lord’s birth as real as possible, from the birth to the slaughter of the innocence. Because of this, it may not be for small children. The Birth of Jesus was written to renew the real meaning of Christmas, and in such a way that it can speak it’s true message to our hearts, the world we live in, and our daily lives. It seems the Lord uses the Christmas Mystery play to bring people to a real sense of peace during the usual busy and hectic holidays.
ST. FRANCIS: “THE JESUS FIRE”
A new mystery play dealing with Gospel Living and how to follow Jesus. Drawing from the Life of St. Francis, this living meditation reflects on Francis’ conversion and life and how he radically followed Jesus. It is a powerful instrument for the Lord to practically show how to follow his commandments to love God and one another. It addresses people’s spiritual growth, values, lifestyle and outlook on a variety of issues, living simple, care for the poor social justice and peace making, the environment and creation, prayer, community, suffering, and death. It proves to be a real vehicle for Jesus and the Holy Spirit to touch those who come and pray this meditation to live the gospel more deeply.
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