Performer, actor, minister

Fr. Roy  Cimagala

THE other day, I was invited by some seminarians—all

friends and even directees of mine—to watch their play which was the product of one of their classes. It was produced, directed and cast by their very own selves. It was also meant to be a tribute to one of their teachers who was leaving for further studies abroad.

The play was the musical “Mamma Mia,” which I have heard about sometime ago but never bothered to know more about, since I am not a movie or theater person. And so I was in for a big surprise.

As I was ushered to the venue, I noticed that most of the characters of the play were women and that these would be played by the seminarians themselves. I started to get anxious.

As I entered the hall, I noticed that the stage was well set, the lighting and sound systems and other technical items were perfect or near perfect. At the back of my mind, I was happy to note that these young boys could already mount such a wonderful production.

But I must confess that I felt uncomfortable at the beginning of the show as I saw familiar faces dressed and outrageously made up like women. Some looked funny, but others, I must say, merited a second look. Even their legs looked smooth and shapely. I usually do not look at these details, but on this occasion, I made an exception.

As the play unfolded, the uneasy feeling readily gave way to amusement and sheer enjoyment as I saw the versatility of these boys whom I know to be truly boys. They were both funny and convincing enough in their acting. Their mimickry did not raise suspicions. It did not harm their masculine identity. I am sure, their teacher would give them a good grade.

On my way out, I congratulated the cast who showed some amused embarrassment for their production, but I reassured them that I was very happy with it. I encouraged them to do more staging of their production.

But I also gave them a little lecture about the difference between a performer, an actor, and a minister which I hope all of them will come to be someday.

A performer, I told them, has as his immediate and main purpose, to entertain the audience in a direct and sensible or tangible way. He is usually a clown, an emcee, a juggler, a singer and a dancer. Special talents and training are clearly needed here. His job is as honorable as any other honest work. And if done with love for God and for others, it is a sure path to heaven.

An actor is not as much interested in entertaining their audience as in entering into the persona of the character he is supposed to play. He thinks more of the scene and of how he relates himself to the role than of how the audience would react to his performance. This category involves more thinking and emoting. But it would be unfair to compare an actor with a performer, and vice-versa.

Each one has his place in the sun.

Now, a minister is a different category altogether. He may have and use some elements of a performer and an actor, but he is definitely different from them. A minister—I am referring more to deacons, priests, bishops, Popes—has, first of all, a different identity. He is not just so and so. He is another Christ, conformed to Christ as head of the Church in varying degrees.

In other words, he is not just performing for an audience or acting out a role. He works in the person of Christ and with the authority of Christ as head of the Church. This happens in the most eminent way when he celebrates the Holy Mass. But this can happen anytime of his life, including while he is doing sports or resting, but especially when he is administering the sacraments, preaching and giving spiritual direction to the people.

I told my seminarian-friends that they can try to be the best of performers and the best of actors, but they should not confuse the category of a minister with those of the performers and actors.

The latter depend more on one’s talents and aptitude, the former is first of all a gift from God.

Because of this difference, the minister has a self-awareness, attitude, outlook, lifestyle, training, etc., different from those of a performer and a minister. But all have honorable responsibilities that can serve both God and others.

E-mail: roycimagala@gmail.com