SFX’s Lenten vigil challenges youth in an immersive Passion Encounter

May 02, 2025

PETALING JAYA: The combined youth ministries of the Church of St Francis Xavier (SFX) successfully hosted a unique overnight Lenten Vigil from John 3:16 - Will You Stay Awake With Me? on April 11 and 12.

The event was a landmark achievement for the parish. Unifying all SFX youth ministries for the first time, the vigil represented an unprecedented undertaking in scope and scale for the community, the first of its kind ever seen at the church.

Inspired by the renowned Oberammergau Passion Play, the vigil gave participants an immersive journey through the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life. Attendees witnessed moving depictions of the Last Supper, Passion, Death, and Entombment, thoughtfully staged across diverse settings, utilising both indoor and outdoor areas of the church grounds.

The interactive nature pushed beyond observation; participants were challenged to symbolically stone Jesus during His journey and were urged to become part of the crowd calling for His crucifixion, prompting deep personal reflection. Interspersed with these dramatic portrayals were periods of spiritual engagement, featuring moving Praise and Worship sessions and contemplative Taizé prayer, guiding participants through the emotional and spiritual arc of the night.

The visually captivating experience was further enhanced by costumes, life-size sets, a specially constructed 12-foot by six-foot cross, dynamic lighting, evocative music scoring and sound, creating a deeply spiritual and atmospheric journey.

This ambitious, large-scale production was conceived, planned over six months, and executed by the youth of SFX, highlighting their dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit with the support of parishioners.

Parish priest, Fr Alvin Ng, SJ, the spiritual director for the event, reflected on the experience: “Witnessing our youth pour their hearts into bringing the Lord’s Passion to life, including the challenging interactive moments and periods of beautiful prayer, was truly inspiring.”

He added, “This vigil wasn't just a play; it was an invitation for everyone, especially our young people, to enter more deeply into the mystery of Lent and encounter Christ's profound love and sacrifice in a powerful, personal way. The successful execution of an event of this magnitude showcased the capabilities and commitment of the youth of today”

Reflecting on his role as Jesus, Duncan Joshua Dennis said: “Embodying Jesus, especially His vulnerability during the Passion, while surrounded by peers involved in these intense, interactive scenes, was humbling. It pushed me beyond just acting. There was a tangible connection, a shared spiritual energy throughout the night. My prayer was simply to be a conduit for His message, hoping everyone felt that personal call to ‘Stay Awake With Me’ deep in their hearts.”

Participants also shared the moments that moved them most deeply throughout the night. For some, the Taizé prayer proved a space of unexpected release. Calvin Anak Nyibos (23) described, “The part that impacted me the most was during the Taizé prayer, especially the examination of conscience, when we wrote all our sins on the paper. Somehow, I felt humbled that I could name my wrongdoings and surrender them to God tonight.”

Others were struck by the Washing of the Feet. Justin Heng Jin Ming (23) shared, “I felt the unworthiness, but also God’s immense love for us — that He chose us. The person washing our feet was Jesus Himself through His representatives.”

Samuel Lee (23) described the moment he walked alongside Jesus carrying His cross as the most impactful part for him: “Seeing how He was whipped and dragged by the Roman soldiers, – it was heartbreaking. He took our place, and that sacrificial love moved me deeply.”

The symbolic act of throwing paper stones — representing personal sin — struck a chord with Amelia Xaviour (25), who reflected, “No matter how much negativity we throw at Jesus, the only thing He gave us back was love. It moved me, and it taught me something I want to live by — to respond with love, always.”

During the Crucifixion scene, Joel Elviron Sitorus (20) felt the message come alive: “I’ve heard the Passion story many times before, but after seeing it in real life, it changed something within me. I feel like I’ve become more faithful after this.”

And for some, it was the stillness afterwards that brought the message home. Mary Joanne James (23) said, “The most impactful part for me was the discussion session. It allowed me to reflect properly on the play. Everything came back to me in that moment — that Christ sacrificed Himself, and now I can stand here free, free from my past sins.”

Offered free of charge, the vigil welcomed youth aged 16 - 25, providing an accessible opportunity for spiritual renewal and community fellowship during the sacred Lenten season. The event successfully fostered prayer, growth, and a deeper understanding of faith among participants, leaving a lasting impact on the youth and the wider parish community and setting a new benchmark for youth-led initiatives at SFX.