When this vow was taken, the pestilence ceased, and not another person
perished. This was regarded by the people as a visible sign of divine
approval. Thus every tenth year for nearly three centuries, ever since
the time when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, with varying
fortunes and interruptions, the Passion Play has been represented in
Oberammergau.

The play in its present form is essentially the work of Josef Alois
Daisenberger, who was for twenty years pastor of the church at
Oberammergau. In this town he was born in the last year of the last
century, and there he died, in 1888, revered and beloved by all who
came near him.

"I wrote the play," Pastor Daisenberger said, "for the love of my
Divine Redeemer, and with no other object in view than the edification
of the Christian world."

The first aim of the Passion Play has been the training of the common
people. To its various representations came the peasants of Bavaria,
Würtemberg, and the Tyrol, on horses, on donkeys, on foot, a long and
difficult journey across mountain-walls and through great forests. It
was the memory and inspiration of a lifetime to have seen the Passion
Play.

About forty years ago the tourist world discovered this scene; and
since then, on the decennial year, an ever-increasing interest has been
felt, an ever-growing stream of travel has been turned toward the Ammer
Valley. All, prince or peasant, are treated alike by the simple,
honest people, and the same preparation is made for the reception of
all. The purpose of the play should be kept in mind in any just