DAPHNE — Religious history came alive locally Wednesday, when Christ the King Catholic School students re-enacted Christ’s final days and his resurrection.

Thirteen scenes were featured in the eighth-graders’ depiction of the Stations of the Cross, events ranging from Jesus’ encounter with Pilate to his carrying a wooden cross to the crucifixion site.

All of the school’s eighth-graders had a part in the event, whether it was acting, running lights or singing in the choir.

Daniel Doucett, 13, who played Christ, said he will never forget the look on the younger children’s faces or their reaction after the performance.

“When I was walking down the aisle, some of them were reaching out and trying to touch my robe, so that was kind of unforgettable,” Doucett said.

“And after I walked out, when I was going home, they were all saying, ‘Look, it’s Jesus,’ ” he said.

Getting to that point was no easy task, he said.

“I really wanted to feel like he did as much as possible, so I tried to find out as much as I could about what he went through,” Doucett said.

Thirteen-year-old Stephanie Fields, who portrayed Mary, said she prepared for her role by “trying to know how it would feel to see her son die on the cross.”

Fields, who has attended Christ the King since kindergarten, said she is always amazed at how Mary was able to accept Jesus’ fate.

“Even today, that would still be awfully hard to handle,” she said. “But I’ve always really admired Mary, so I was happy to be chosen for this part.”

Missy Schmidt, an eighth grade teacher, who helped coordinate the production, said faith was part of the process.

Students volunteer for the acting roles, then their selection depends on their name being drawn out of a hat, Schmidt said.

“That’s because we decided it would be the Holy Spirit who would decide what parts people get,” she said.

It’s no accident that eighth-graders lead this production, Schmidt said.

“We tell them that they are the ones who need to set a good example for the younger students,” she said.

“And we also stress that they are the ones who will need to take the message of Christ out into the world when they graduate,” Schmidt said. “If we here don’t do that or hold it as important, who will do it?”

Principal Sister Maureen Nolan congratulated the cast and audience.

“I will always remember the special reverence I felt here today, especially as we walked in,” Nolan said following the presentation.

School media liaison Ruth Rutkoswki said the event has become “a much loved annual tradition” for students as well as staffers.

“It’s a very important part of Easter for all of us,” she said.