How we photographed Pilsen’s annual reenactment of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday

This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Candace Dane Chambers.

What makes this photo important?

The annual “Via Crucis: Living Way of the Cross” reenactment is now in its 49th year. The Good Friday tradition commemorates Jesus Christ’s crucifixion from the Last Supper until his resurrection, with a cast of devotees embodying the biblical characters who betrayed, brutalized and mourned the man who they believe to be the son of God. The story is broadly known to most, even among non-Christians, but the multi-hour performance presents the events in visceral detail.

How did you get this photo?

This photo was captured immediately following the reenactment of Jesus’ crucifixion. For much of the performance, both the cast and audience were in motion, walking a long procession on18th Street in Pilsen while Jesus is forced to carry the cross that will eventually bring him to his death. The crucifixion was staged in a small park with limited space for the performers and the many members of the press covering the event. Understanding that this was the climax of the reenactment, I limited my movement as I photographed out of respect for the religious reverence of the viewers. I sat in the grass surrounded by a group of standing performers and hoped that as they towered above they would obscure me from view. To my surprise, once they took Jesus’ limp body off the cross, they laid him just to the left of where I was positioned. I crawled forward and tucked my lens between the actors where I was able to capture this expressive shot of the Virgin Mary holding her slain son.

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