The Mystery
Based on a true story about St. Anthony of Padua and the Donkey
Characters:
- Narrator
- St. Anthony
- Bonillo (a merchant)
- Donkey
- Crowd (some as poor beggars)
Props:
- Franciscan costume for St. Anthony (brown/grey robe with rope belt)
- Costumes for Bonillo and crowd
- Donkey costume (drape blanket with tail on back and make simple donkey ears)
- Bucket of Oats
- Host (white cardboard circle with cross in center)
The crowd is on the stage going about daily business (working, talking, and some are poor beggars).
NARRATOR: This skit is based on a true story. Once upon a time, (Anthony enters) there was a man named Anthony. Anthony came from a rich and noble family but he gave up everything to follow Jesus. As a priest and follower of St. Francis, he spent many years helping the poor (Anthony reaches out and shakes the beggars hands) and telling people about the Good News of Jesus. Anthony told people that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist. One man named Bonillo refused to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
ANTHONY: Bonillo, I’d like to challenge you to something interesting! Are you up for the challenge?
BONILLO: What’s it all about?
ANTHONY: I don’t want you to feed your donkey for three days. After three days, we will see if your donkey will choose to go for a pail of oats or if he recognizes Jesus in the Eucharist.
BONILLO: You’re crazy if you think my donkey will fall for your Jesus! (Ha.) ANTHONY: Would you come back to church if I win my part of the challenge? BONILLO: Sure, I’ll take you up on that. But if I win Anthony, you’ll look like the fool!
NARRATOR: Bonillo accepted the challenge. Bonillo brought out his donkey, tied him to a post where he could be seen by all; proceeding to starve the donkey for three days. At the same time, St. Anthony went into the forest to fast and pray for three days; taking no food to eat. (Anthony kneels down and prays) When the day of the trial came, Anthony went to a Church. He took the Eucharist and brought it to the place where the donkey was tied.
Meanwhile, Bonillo had placed a large bucket of oats several feet away from the donkey. The starving donkey was pulling at the rope, desperate for the food. When the merchant untied the donkey, it went straight for the bucket of oats to eat. But just as the donkey was about to reach the oats, St. Anthony lifted up the Eucharist and shouted in a loud voice:
ANTHONY: (with confidence) “Mule, in the Name of the Lord Our God, I command you to come here and adore your Creator!”
NARRATOR: The donkey reared up on his hind legs as if someone had pulled him by a rope. The donkey spun around, and ran to St. Anthony, kneeling on its forelegs with its head bowed to the ground. As commanded in the name of God, the donkey adored its Creator, truly present in the mystery of the Eucharist. (St. Anthony continues to hold host elevated.) Bonillo, AMAZED by what happened, begged for Anthony’s forgiveness.
BONILLO: (drops to his knees) “Anthony, I’m sorry I ever doubted that the Eucharist is Jesus. Even my donkey believes. How can I not believe? Can you forgive me?”
ANTHONY: “Of course I forgive you and God will forgive you, too.”
NARRATOR: After that, Bonillo believed that the Eucharist is truly Jesus. Bonillo became a Catholic thanks to St. Anthony and the mystery of the Eucharist. The End.
VBS LEADER: (After the applause), tie the skit to today’s theme – saying: Today we’re going to see that the Mass is a Mystery that Jesus wants us to learn more about. This week at the Marvelous Mystery VBS, let us become amazed by Jesus in the Eucharist.
