SAN ANTONIO — A powerful Holy Week tradition returns to the streets of San Antonio this Friday. The annual reenactment of the Passion of Christ will begin at 10 a.m. at Travis Park and will end at San Fernando Cathedral, bringing the story of Jesus’ final moments to life in front of hundreds of spectators.
Directed by parishioner Edgar Holguin, the dramatization is a community-driven event powered entirely by volunteers.
“This will be my fourth year directing this… we’re not actors. We’re all just volunteers. And here we’re doing it all for our God,” said Holguin.
The live reenactment follows the path to Calvary, drawing crowds each year as participants take on roles from Roman soldiers to townspeople. Holguin himself steps into costume as a soldier during the procession, describing the experience as emotionally intense.
“There’s believers and there’s nonbelievers… it’s always eye-opening because I hear the crowd, or our actors… when they yell, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ It’s hard,” he said.
The preparation behind the scenes takes months. With all cast members juggling day jobs, rehearsals are held twice a week leading up to the event.
“Everybody has their day-to-day job. They can’t just come every day. So we have to make sure that we practice two times a week… and that they come to at least show up to the practices,” Holguin explained.
For Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, the procession is more than tradition—it’s a reminder of sacrifice, injustice, and ultimately, hope.
“Jesus gives us witness, showing an innocent man who was crucified and brutally beaten… Good Friday can never be ignored or erased from memory,” the Archbishop said.
The reenactment is free and open to the public. Organizers hope the message resonates with those who attend, whether they’re returning or seeing it for the first time.