5.31.11 UPDATE: The main photo is a first place winner in the National Press Photographers Association’s Region 3 Monthly Clip Contest for April 2011.
.jpg "The Ninth Station: Jesus Christ (Jack Santopietro) falls for a third time. At right, Ezekiel Lupianez, 4, dressed as a Roman soldier, breaks character, when upon seeing his mother, Maria Lupianez, in the audience taking his picture, he breaks into a smile and waves for the camera. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)")
BAYONNE, N.J., APRIL 22, 2011 — Students and teachers of St. Henry’s Religious Education stage the Living Stations of the Cross–a series of tableaux depicting the last hours of Jesus Christ–at St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in observance of the Christian holy day, Good Friday. In this photo, The Ninth Station: Jesus Christ (Jack Santopietro) falls for a third time. At right, Ezekiel Lupianez, 4, dressed as a Roman soldier, breaks character, when upon seeing his mother, Maria Lupianez, in the audience taking his picture, he breaks into a smile and waves for the camera. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
.jpg "The First Station: Pontius Pilate (Jose Lupianez) condemns Jesus to death. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)")
The First Station: Pontius Pilate (Jose Lupianez) condemns Jesus to death. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The Second Station: Jesus Christ (Jack Santopietro) is given his cross. Playing the Roman solder is Seth Lupianez. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The Fourth Station: Jesus (Jack Santopietro) meets his mother, Mary (Jaime Di Domenico). (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The Sixth Station: Veronica (Sigrid Cruz) wipes the face of Jesus (Jack Santopietro). (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The Tenth Station: Jesus’ (Jack Santopietro) clothes are taken away. The Roman soldier is played by Jonas Gomez. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The 11th Station: Jesus (Jack Santopietro) is nailed to the cross by Roman soldiers (from left, Francois Rodas, Isaiah Lupianez and Henry Lupianez). (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
Anthony Golden narrates the Stations of the Cross. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The 12th Station: Jesus (Jack Santopietro) dies on the cross. Mother Mary (Jaime Di Domenico) grieves with other women (Jessica Driscoll, far left, and Tatiana Rodas) at her son’s feet as a Roman soldier (Isaiah Lupianez) stands guard. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The13th Station of the Cross: The body of Jesus (Jack Santopietro) is brought down from the cross. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
Song Director Linda Grossman, background left, Jaime Di Domenico (who played Mother Mary), center, and Shannon Kelly sing
As the actors line up to take a bow, Maria Lupianez takes a photo of her four sons who participated in the production, as another one of her sons, Nathaniel, 3, stands by her side. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
Director of Religious Education Marie Pope thanks everybody who participated in and supported the production. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
The cast receives a standing ovation from the audience. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)
by Reena