Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico Passion Play
Ajijic's Passion Play
Easter is the holiest of all holidays in Mexico and Ajijic is no exception.
Since 1980 The Passion de Cristo and Crucifixion have served as a way to preserve centuries old customs of using live dramatization to teach scripture in a very real way.
Over 200 volunteers are involved in all aspects of making Ajijic’s Passion Play en epic yearly event that you won’t want to miss.
Sunday, April 5 (Palm Sunday) is the Verbena Popular on the plaza to benefit Pasion de Cristo production featuring all types of Mexican food and drinks from 4-10 pm. 6:00 pm Blessing of Palms at 6 Corners (Seis Esquinas) which is the intersection of Calles Ocampo, Hidalgo and Alvaro Obregon. 6:30 pm Passion Play principals debut in the Palm Sunday procession reenacting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The route runs east from 6 Corners along Calle Hildago to the San Andres Church. 7:00 pm is Palm Sunday Mass in the church atrium.
Thursday, April 9, 7:00 pm is an Evening Mass with representation of the Last Supper at San Andres Church. 9:00 pm Passion Play opens with Maundy Thursday scenes staged in a mountainside field located at the north end of Calle Encarnacion Rosas, opposite the Secundaria School Campus.
Friday, April 10, 11:00 am Passion Play continues with Good Friday scenes played out on a backdrop of stunning scenery set up in the San Andres Church atrium. This is a very dramatic array of living statues painted gold. Spectators then follow Christ from the church gates as he carries the heavy wooden cross to Calvary. At the end of the day Christ’s body is carried back to the church for burial. 3:00 pm Chris’s last words on the cross at San Andres Church. 7:00 pm Evening Mass at San Andres and 9:00 pm Marcha Silencio takes place through the dark streets of Ajijic.
Saturday, April 11, 8:00 pm Easter Vigil San Andres Atrium with the Passion Play actors representing the Resurrection. After the service the sacred altar lights burn brightly and the bells peal to celebrate the Risen Christ.
Sunday, April 12. Resurrection Mass at San Andres starting with an English service at 9:00 am followed by Spanish services at 10:00 am, noon, 5:00, 7:00, and 8:00 pm.
Everyone who has ever attended all or any part of Ajijic’s Passion Play is moved and delighted by the enormous effort and level of expertise which goes into this production.
Ajijic’s Passion Play is definitely one of Ajijic’s many must sees.