ABOVE: Jesus (Eliza Helvig) lifts a cup of juice, signifying the blood of Jesus to his apostles, John (Emelia Soelter), Peter (Natalie Fausch), Bartholomew (Matthew Vang), Andrew (Leti Algarra), Philip (Brystal Wolfe), Thomas/Man With Pitcher (Jack Helvig), James the Greater (Keana Narruhn), James the Less/Jude Thaddaeus (Belar Chilel Aitaro), Simon the Zealot/Matthew (Tristan Chan) and Judas Iscariot (Grayson Helvig) during the second grade reenactment of the Last Supper on Wednesday afternoon at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT — As part of Holy Week, second grade students at St. John Vianney (SJV) Catholic School in Fairmont learned about Jesus Christ, his apostles and what happened during the Last Supper in SJV’s longstanding tradition of immersive Last Supper reenactment, which was held on Wednesday afternoon on the school’s stage.

“I think it’s really important for the kids to try to understand what was really happening at the Last Supper,” said SJV second-grade teacher Karen Sandhurst. “And that it was surprising to the apostles when Jesus did some of the things he did.”

Since 1990, Sandhurst’s second-grade students have taken on the roles of Jesus Christ and his apostles, portraying their final meal. The students washed hands, blessed and broke bread (signifying his body), poured wine (signifying his blood), and held the prediction of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and Peter’s denial before the arrest, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“When [Jesus] was crucified, and then rose and appeared to [the apostles], they remembered some of the things that had been said, and it made more sense. So, I think it’s important for the [students] to know. If you don’t understand what the Passover is and how it’s celebrated, then you don’t really understand the Last Supper, and therefore the first Mass or first Eucharist,” Sandhurst explained.

In addition to acting out the Last Supper, the students also previously acted out the Stations of the Cross. Sandhurst explained that both reenactments are important for the students to learn ahead of their first communion on April 19.

To prepare for this reenactment, the 11 students involved got to bake the two loaves of bread used. The costume robes are provided by Sandhurst, which she explained she has collected, sewn and has been donated to her by students’ parents over the 35 years of having this event at SJV.

To determine their roles, the students drew names from a cup. The cast included Jesus (Eliza Helvig), John (Emelia Soelter), Peter (Natalie Fausch), Bartholomew (Matthew Vang), Andrew (Leticia Algarra), Philip (Brystal Wolfe), Thomas/Man With Pitcher (Jack Helvig), James the Greater (Keana Narruhn), James the Less/Jude Thaddaeus (Belar Chilel Aitaro), Simon the Zealot/Matthew (Tristan Chan) and Judas Iscariot (Grayson Helvig).

Before the reenactment, the students learn about Jesus Christ, the apostles and the Passover from the Book of Exodus and how the Last Supper ties into Mass.

Sandhurst explained that ‘bringing learning to life’ motivated her to have this reenactment for so many years.

“I’m trying to make it something memorable,” she said. “To me, Holy Week has been extremely special. Always has been. I guess my passion for those celebrations and liturgies gets transferred to the kids, hopefully, so they realize how important Holy Week is and how the Last Supper, the crucifixion and the resurrection really tell the story of how Jesus saved us. For me, it’s very important, and I want it to be important for them, too.”

Sandhurst is retiring after dedicating more than 40 years to SJV. The tradition of acting out the last supper is something she cherishes. She said the next teacher is also passionate about sharing this knowledge, so the tradition of the Last Supper reenactment is expected to remain at the school.