*Several errors have been brought to our attention in regard to this story:
- The story of the resurrection is a belief held by most Christian denominations including Catholics
- The story is that Jesus was "resurrected" and not "reborn" on Easter Sunday
- There was an erroneous comma in the second sentence
- The word God was not capitalized in the sentence beginning with "John Austin played the role..."
- Archbishop Garcia-Siller was misspelled in both references
- In the final paragraph, the reenactment "portrayed" the crucifixion it did not "relive" it
Hundreds of people followed a man portraying Jesus as he walked through the streets of downtown Friday morning for the annual re-enactment of the passion of the Christ.
Milam Park was filled with more than 2,000 people, some actors and some spectators, all ready to watch the performance of a local Catholic tradition. Catholics, and most Christians, believe that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and reborn resurrected on Easter Sunday.
In the re-enactment, Jesus is beaten and forced to carry a cross through Houston street all the way to Main Plaza in front of San Fernando. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said the Passion is to help Christians witness what Jesus went through to clear sin.
"Jesus showed us how to live in the midst of a world tainted profoundly by suffering, death, illnesses, limitations, sinfulness," Siller said. "But there is a way to live out our life."
John Austin played the role of Jesus and said he felt that fulfilling the part brought him closer to God. The same can be said for the spectators.
"It's just the experience of actually trying to put yourself in his shoes, and what he went through," Austin said.
Johnny Olivares said he felt it was his duty as a Christian to attend.
"It makes me re-think of what he went through and it makes me be grateful that he died for our sins," Olivares said. "He just made things easier for us to live by."
The re-enactment ended at Main Plaza, relived portraying the crucifixion of Jesus in front of San Fernando. Later Friday evening, Archbishop Garcia-Siller held a Good Friday Mass.
