Oberammergau and the 2010 Passion Play
The Passionhaus in Oberammergau was purpose-built for performances of the Passion Play which take place every ten years.
A small town in Bavaria is the setting for a remarkable event that happens once in every ten years. Judith Wallace was there in 2000.
The little Bavarian village of Oberammergau is one of the most beautiful places on earth, well known for its 10-yearly Passion Play – Passionsspiel.
Many villagers are still expert woodcarvers, as they were in 1633 when their lives were threatened by the Black Death plague afflicting all Christendom. They made a solemn vow to perform a play telling the story of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection…as a source of hope and inspiration for people to live as Christ did, serving and loving others.
The villagers hoped and believed that, in making the vow, their lives would be spared and would witness to the redeeming love and power of God. Those villagers were spared the ravages of plague and, since that time, with few exceptions in over 370 years, the play has been performed faithfully every 10 years.
All players, singers and instrumentalists must live in the village, and are only permitted a part in the play after being resident for at least six years…it is truly an Oberammergau community production!
One cold morning in early May 2000 our group from WA joined hundreds of pilgrim people from all over the world walking through tree-lined village streets, past lovely hand-painted houses, heading for one point – the Passionshaus. By the time we entered the huge purpose-built auditorium, anticipation and excitement were almost palpable.
The deeply moving and challenging performance, always faithful to scripture, held that multi-lingual audience spell-bound for two three-hourly sessions.
When you consider the Passionsspiel plays to 600+, five days a week for six months, it’s a huge total of people reached by the gospel over one season...upwards of 72,000! In our experience, no one can sit through such a dramatic production without being deeply moved.
A final blessing followed for us when, on the way back to our inn, we passed the tiny Lutheran church where a multi-lingual communion service was just beginning…a beautiful conclusion to an unforgettable day.
So we promised ourselves that we would try to go to the next Passionsspiel in 2010, God willing! It is already late 2007 and we have begun planning for a 2010 trip at about the same time, early to mid May.
Will you join us in a pilgrimage to Oberammergau? We promise a spiritual experience that you, too, will never forget!
Brochures are available at your church or contact Judith Wallace, 9 Nierinna Road, Margate, 7054
Phone 6267 2857 Email trjlw@bigpond.com