I became a Franciscan Mystery Player last year. Like many of you who are reading this, I had no idea what mystery play was.
I was in class one day and my friend had casually mentioned I should join. I just shrugged it off, not thinking too much of it. Then a few days later, my friend texted me and said the informational meeting was tonight, and asked if i still wanted to go. So, being the type of person who can't say no, I went having absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn't think it was something I would hate, but I also didn't think it was something I would love.
Mystery Play is a living meditation on the stations of the cross. The players have no words, as it is entirely narrated. It is performed during the Lenten season, every week until our last performance on Good Friday. We travel to many different churches, all around New Jersey to spread our message, Life is a mystery and we are the players.
The group of players and advisors is more than just a group of people who perform this. Through the many car rides to dinner or churches, rehearsals, snacks, jokes, and our common love for Christ, we become, as cheesy as it sounds, a family. You create an indescribable bond with all these people, one that you'll never have with anyone else.
We perform many times throughout the Lenten season, yet before every performance, we are always a little nervous. Nervous on if people are coming, how they will respond to it, if we'll do everything right, it's all a little nerve wracking. But the minute I hear the first track of music begin to play, I'm filled with immense joy and gratefulness that I get to be a part of such a beautiful thing, that it doesn't even matter if something isn't perfect because this isn't about us. It's about making others feel a connection to Him, and to show that God always prevails.
One of the most significant parts of mystery play is the prayer circle at the end of each performance. We ask anyone who is comfortable to come and pray with us at the foot of the cross. Everyone joins hands and one by one you hear the hearts of others being poured out, entirely free of judgement - only love.
Mystery Play has brought more joy to my life than I ever thought possible. It has taught me many things about myself and others. I've learned time and time again through this group, that God never fails to shine beauty in the darkness, and that even though bad times come, God never leaves. I've grown in my faith immensely since becoming a player.
In the current off-season, I continually feel nostalgia from last year, and extreme excitement for this one. It's an experience that i wouldn't trade for the world. If you would like to learn more about Mystery Play, and how it all started, I encourage you to read more about it. You will find information on the performance itself, and as we get closer to Lent, a schedule with all the churches we will be performing at.
