By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, Nov 15, 2019: Francis Pereira says playing Jesus in a drama on the life of the Lord has brought him countless blessings from God.
“Three times I was saved from illness, and survived accidents with no hurts while most co-passengers were badly injured,” the railway employee in Mumbai told Matters India. ”My wife reminded me it was indeed God’s special protection over us,” he added.
Pereira began playing Jesus in a three-hour drama in Marathi some 20 years ago, in his village in Vasai, a suburb of Mumbai.
Augustine Pimenta, a schoolteacher, first staged the play in 1972 to deepen local Catholics’ faith and spread Jesus’s message among people of other faiths in the neighborhood. It was staged in five locations of Vasai.
“Pimenta had heard me reading at Masses in our church and he approached me. I declined at first because I knew that it would take away much time from my family. But he was adamant that I take up this role. At last I consented. And now I am happy to do it,” he said.
The practices are long and intense. Pereira explains how he fits it into life. “We begin the practice in February from 7 to 10 in the evenings, after work. Without me practice cannot go on. It is necessary each actor to learn the dialogue well. The stage is large and there is no facility to prompt. So far everything has gone well.”
Even he has to do some personal preparation. “I start my special diet to reduce my weight so that I can look like Jesus. Five birthdays fall during these months of practice and I have to just stick on to my diet,” he laughs narrating the celebrations in the family when he is on diet.
How does it feel hanging on the cross?. “It is indeed difficult to stay on the cross. I have to hold the nail between with my two fingers and rest my foot on the foothold. It is a tension to stay on for a few minutes in that position.’
Sometimes unexpected problems crop up. “Once there was a strong wind during the drama and I could feel the cross falling to the front. Someone closed the curtain at once while another held up the cross, thus saving me from a disastrous fall.”
“Another time my leg was hurt while I was taken down from the cross. I could not wear the pants for some time. So I took leave from the office. But the drama was staged as scheduled at different places,” he narrated.
He is happy with his family’s support for this mission. “During the drama I need to change the costume several times. My wife keeps it ready and helps me change quickly. She also remembers to give me water whenever I have short breaks thus keeping me fresh.”
Joseph Cerjo, a parishioner, says he finds the drama interesting. “We like to watch this drama again and again.. The audiovisuals have a great impact. The drama helps me get closer to Jesus and deepen my faith.”
The 80-member drama troupe stages in Bombay archdiocese and Ahmedabad diocese.
“In Gujarat the every scene is explained in Gujarati prior to the performance. I have seen people crying while explaining the passion scene,” Pereira said.
The drama requires a large stage and good lighting and sound. Thus it incurs a huge expense which is covered by donations. After covering the expense, the surplus amount goes to the diocese for its projects. The Clergy Home in Vasai diocese is a fruit of this drama.
Pereira recalls moments he felt God’s action in his life. “Once I fell from the train and remained in between the platform and the running train. By God’s grace I came our unhurt though shocked,” he explained.
Another “miraculous escape” was in a bus. A person exchanged his seat with him. When the bus met with an accident Pereira and family came out unhurt, while all the others were deeply bruised and one lost life.
A few years ago during his pilgrimage to Vailankanni, he fell ill. On medical inspection he was told that his appendicitis burst and required and immediate surgery. He completed his pilgrimage and returned to Vasai after two days and consulted another doctor.
“You have just reached on time,” Pereira the doctor’s words.