Passion Play 2022 (Oberammergau Germany)

 We enjoyed the very choice opportunity to attend the Passion Play in Oberammergau Germany on May 17, 2022.  

How can you possibly describe such an experience?  I have asked my dear husband Judd to share his impressions:

“I became aware of the Passion Play after my grandparents, D.E. and Hazel Judd went on a European tour in 1960 to visit their son, Ted, who was on a building mission for the church with his family.  They attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau.  It made such an impression on them that they would tell the family about it all the time.  I never forgot what they said about it enhanced by slides projected on a screen. 

The Play came about during the terrible Plague which raged throughout Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.  The pious villagers of Oberammergau, about an hour west of Munich, promised God that if the dying stopped, they would stage the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord every ten years. In fact, no one died of the plague from that day on.  Since then, the people of Oberammergau have been performing the Passion of Jesus Christ every ten years since 1633.  

Thanks to a moving musical score composed by Rochus Dedler (1779-1822) the play has become more like an oratorio with choir and soloist, and orchestra.  The original text of the play was written by Pastor Joseph Daisenberger (1799-1883). Because of the covid pandemic, the 2020 production was postponed until 2022, when restrictions were finally lifted. We were the lucky beneficiaries of this while we serve our mission about 4 hours to the south in Leoben, Austria.  

We were joined by three other couples who are also serving missions in the Alpine German Speaking Mission.  Our good friend from Salt Lake, Doug Dansie, was here also, and we got to visit briefly before the play began. The Play is divided into two parts of 2 ½ hours each. During the interval, we had dinner with the other missionaries where we were served  a delicious meal loosely based on a Passover Seder.  

This was an unforgettable night.  I know now why Nana and Grandpa Judd were so moved over 60 years ago by this historic play.”

I looked around us as the Passion Play was about to begin. The theater capacity is around 5,000 even though it wasn’t completely sold out.  May 17th was one of the first performances of the 2022 season.    I realized that the people surrounding us were believers in Jesus Christ.  At the very least, many most likely want to believe or strengthen the faith they have.  I was praying that the production would plant a seed of desire in their hearts to come to know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  I received confirmations from the spirit of the truths being  portrayed. I know Jesus Christ is the son of God.  He lives!   I am very grateful that we had the wonderful opportunity to experience the 2022 Passion Play in Oberammergau Germany.