Body
WHEREAS, in 1633, the Bavarian village of Oberammergau was spared from the Black Plague, which then was ravaging through Europe. In thanks and celebration, the villagers promised God they would commemorate the suffering of Christ every 10 years. This pledge has been kept faithfully for more than 300 years during the Lenten Season; and
WHEREAS, in 1910, "Veronica's Veil" became the American counterpart to the Oberammergau drama, written by Father Bernardine Dusch and Father Conrad Eiben, Passionist priests devoted to honoring the sufferings of Christ; and
WHEREAS, "Veronica's Veil" was first performed in 1913 at St. Michael's Church on the South Side Slopes, the home parish of Father Dusch and Father Eiben. St. Michael's Church was a German parish whose members toiled by day in the steel mills and gathered on weekends to worship in the fashion of their Bavarian parents; and
WHEREAS, by 1919, after trying several other Lenten plays, St. Michael's congregation returned to performing "Veronica's Veil" and it has run every year since; and
WHEREAS, the performance of "Veronica's Veil" has become a modern-day remnant of village tradition, with generations upon generations of families acting in the production; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2004, this year's first performance will mark the 85th year of the Passion Play, the longest running play in existence.
title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby congratulate "Veronica's Veil" for its successful run on stage and in our hearts and commends the Veronica's Veil Players for their talents and continued enthusiasm in making "Veronica's Veil" a true Pittsburgh Tradition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that February 29, 2004 be hereby declared "Veronica's Veil Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.