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| A cheerful centurion |
Today was the day we've been working towards for a while: the live Crucifixion! And, of course, given our family (not to mention that we're here in Italy!), things were a little different than we expected.
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| Maria and her brother |
To begin with, I have to mention our costume check. Edwina, our lovely seamstress, had been working like a champ to get everything ready. And she made it for Tuesday -- what a wonder!
As we were changing, we heard laughter and lamentations, after which a curtain was pulled aside to reveal...Jesus, wearing loincloth and bright blue, fuzzy socks! I nearly fell over, I was laughing so hard. Very unexpected look, I must say.
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| Thief #2 |
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| Thief #1 |
During the check, our crucifixion costume coordinator (like the alliteration?) decided that she hated Michael's look (despite having provided the fabric) and wanted everything changed. Only problem was that I was out (went to Deruta with Bonnie and Bob) and unavailable to explain anything to Edwina; also, truth be told, I was worried about what might end up being lost in translation. So I told the coordinator to get with Edwina to provide more fabric and explain the changes.
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| Jesus got cold while waiting! |
Edwina was a marvel, and pulled through. I really, really hope she didn't have to stay up all night. When I saw the final product, my eyes popped out of my head: I thought Michael would end up looking like a giant teddy bear. His robe was a HUGE tan velour tent with elastic on the shoulder seams. It was nearly completely shapeless and his stole & belt were supposed to be unfinished. Edwina and I looked at each other doubtfully and agreed that
we didn't care, as long as our coordinator was happy.
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| Brad Pitt, I mean Michael, with James |
Time for our rehearsal. We went to the designated location, and found everyone in varying stages of dress and undress, men in their undies pulling on Roman apparel -- you get the idea. Lots of laughter and teasing, and definitely camaraderie was the word for the night. Jeremy had decided that he'd prefer to take part in the procession from the bottom of the hill, rather than being a member of the crucifixion corps. James took his alb with him so that he could be in the crucifixion, but still serve at the altar in the Duomo.
When we had finally been judged ready, we were allowed out for the actual rehearsal. It was fairly uneventful, since we didn't have much to do (thankfully). Can I say how
magnificent Michael looked? I have to confess that my doubts were completely assuaged. Orietta posited that he looks like Brad Pitt. I'm not so sure about that (barely knowing what Brad Pitt looks like), but I must say that the style works with his beard.
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| Mary and her new son |
We heard singing coming on the chill breeze...time to take our places! As the procession rounded the corner, we could see that people were surprised and touched by our scene. We moved about as specified while our narrators read Jacopone da Todi's poem that conveyed Mary's emotions surrounding her son's crucifixion. Orietta was an amazing Mary.
That done, the procession moved on. We scurried up a side alley to rejoin the procession (under orders not to change into street clothes). Everyone crowded into the Duomo (it was fairly packed! Such a treat!), and Florence & I took our places in the choir stalls. There were two confraternities there looking adorable in their robes (I love the robes, can't you tell?), and Jesus on the bier, and Mary with a pierced heart. The statue of Jesus we use is from the 1400s, by the way.
We heard the Gospel reading, and our wonderful bishop gave a homily. Then everyone who wanted to went up to kiss Jesus' feet while we sang a version of Stabat Mater. During this period, the idea was for the church to empty, which it did -- and it was quite moving to have the church empty quietly with the mournful music being sung.
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| Jesus the statue being taken home to the Chiesa del Monte |
Jesus was taken back to the tiny church where he reposes during the year, and we went back home.
Love,
Alexandra
During the check, our crucifixion costume coordinator (like the alliteration?) decided that she hated Michael's look (despite having provided the fabric) and wanted everything changed. Only problem was that I was out (went to Deruta with Bonnie and Bob) and unavailable to explain anything to Edwina; also, truth be told, I was worried about what might end up being lost in translation. So I told the coordinator to get with Edwina to provide more fabric and explain the changes. 
Time for our rehearsal. We went to the designated location, and found everyone in varying stages of dress and undress, men in their undies pulling on Roman apparel -- you get the idea. Lots of laughter and teasing, and definitely camaraderie was the word for the night. Jeremy had decided that he'd prefer to take part in the procession from the bottom of the hill, rather than being a member of the crucifixion corps. James took his alb with him so that he could be in the crucifixion, but still serve at the altar in the Duomo.
That done, the procession moved on. We scurried up a side alley to rejoin the procession (under orders not to change into street clothes). Everyone crowded into the Duomo (it was fairly packed! Such a treat!), and Florence & I took our places in the choir stalls. There were two confraternities there looking adorable in their robes (I love the robes, can't you tell?), and Jesus on the bier, and Mary with a pierced heart. The statue of Jesus we use is from the 1400s, by the way. 
We heard the Gospel reading, and our wonderful bishop gave a homily. Then everyone who wanted to went up to kiss Jesus' feet while we sang a version of Stabat Mater. During this period, the idea was for the church to empty, which it did -- and it was quite moving to have the church empty quietly with the mournful music being sung.
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