The Blind Man, also called the Pilgrim, appears in a healing scene within the First Fall in the script published in 2011. The Procession enters La Placeta, and the character, unsettled by the noise and crowd, tries to discover who is passing. See also: Maundy Thursday.
The Encounter in The Little Square
The 2011 stage direction places him at one side of La Placeta, listening to the procession. On hearing the Manages he asks what is happening; the words of the theatrical Jewish characters allow him to recognise Jesus. He then calls out and crawls towards him.
The miracle of sight
In the dialogue on p. 104, the Pilgrim asks for mercy and for his sight to be restored. Jesus stops, asks about his faith and what he wants him to do, then touches his eyes. The character regains his sight within the story being performed. The gesture contrasts with the attacks of the theatrical Jewish characters.
The stage direction says that the healed Pilgrim moves towards the centre of the square and addresses the Manages and the audience. He calls on them to accompany Christ’s steps with devotion and repeats this invitation during the Procession. His healing thus leads to a new role within the procession.
Symbolism of the Blind Man in the Verges Procession
In a Christian interpretation, the healing may contrast the Blind Man’s trust with the incomprehension of those who mistreat Jesus. The miracle belongs to the dramatic action: interpreting its symbolism does not establish the scene’s age or the authorship of its text. See also: Procession of Verges.
History and transmission of the role
In the study accompanying the 2011 edition (p. 21), Jordi Roca describes the Pilgrim as an old character who was difficult to fit into the Passion story. He links him to the introduction of the healing miracle and suggests that Carles Perpinyà may have been involved. This is Roca’s hypothesis, not proven authorship or an established date of introduction.
That historical account must be distinguished from the script published in the same book. The study refers to the Jesus who leads the apostles; on pp. 103–104 of the script, Jesus speaks with the Blind Man without putting down the cross. These references reflect different ways of integrating the character into the Procession and should not be merged.
Sources and versions
Jordi Roca, La Processó de Verges. Text de l’obra (2011), p. 21 and script, pp. 103–104.
