Walking in holiday footsteps
Mexican Catholic tradition of Las Posadas celebrates the birth of Jesus
In the chilly winter air, Lodi residents gathered at St. Anne’s Plaza. As they spotted friends or family members, they hurried over for a hug, then huddled together to chat as they waited.
A few children played tag and laughed around the edges of the crowd. Others huddled up against a parent, grandparent or other relative to keep warm.
At the center of the activity was a life-sized Nativity scene, designed to look like a stable.
A hush fell over the crowd as Mary and Joseph — Clarisa Carrillo, the church’s secretary of religious education, and Ray Naylor, director of facilities — came out of the church. Nuns and volunteers passed out rosaries and sheets of paper with prayers in Spanish for those who needed them.
With close to 80 people gathered and more trickling in, the evening’s Posada began: “Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo ...”
Las Posadas is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their search for a room to stay overnight. According to the traditional story, they stopped at several inns but were turned away because there was no room.
Finally, an innkeeper allowed the couple to stay in his stable, where Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus. “Posada” is the Spanish word for inn or hostel.
The tradition originated in Spain, and was brought to Mexico by Spanish Catholics in the 1500s, according to Catholic Online.
Churches and communities that celebrate Las Posadas generally begin on Dec. 16, and the celebration ends on Dec. 24 ahead of a Christmas midnight Mass. In Lodi, the yearly tradition began on the 16th, but will end on Saturday.
Members of St. Anne’s Catholic Church gather each night to celebrate the Nativity together during Las Posadas.
On Wednesday, the procession began in the plaza outside the church, where the manger scene is set up. The crowd recited the Rosary, first gathered around the manger, then as they made their way to the door that would serve as the first inn.
They stopped, and Jesus Herrera began to play a traditional Christmas song. Those gathered outside sang along, asking that Mary and Joseph be allowed inside.
“Posasa te pide, amado casero, por sólo una noche la Reina del Cieto,” they sang — “We ask for lodging, dear innkeeper, for only one night for the Queen of Heaven.”
At two doors, the crowd asked for those inside to let Mary and Joseph inside. Twice, the pair were turned away with song. The procession trailed throughout the church grounds, past a statue of the Virgin Mary decorated with more than a dozen bouquets of roses and poinsettias, and through the plaza again.
Finally, the procession reached St. Anne’s School, where they sang one last time to be let in. This time, the doors opened, and the crowd streamed into the warm gymnasium, out of the cold.
In many places, Las Posadas visit individual homes of church members, and the last home plays host for the night. In Lodi, the crowd of participants is too large — by the time the procession reached the school, it had grown to more than 130 people.
Instead, various Catholic and community organizations serve as the sponsor for the evening, and ministry groups help to organize the night.
Wednesday evening’s sponsors were the ministry team and Nuno Enterprise. Other sponsors have included Patty’s Beauty Salon, the Mexican-American Catholic Federation, Casa Mexicana, Mamas de Fe y Esperanza, John and Emily Vatsula and the Legion of Mary and Faith Formation.
Thanks to the sponsors, the church was able to welcome the crowd with tamales and hot tea, Christmas music, space for dancing, and piñatas.
“It’s nice. It’s a community event,” said Donna Ferrer, who works with the Ministry Team. “It’s about Mary and Joseph being the pilgrims and looking for a home.”
As Wednesday’s event wound down, Lodians gathered at a dozen long tables to enjoy the food and friendship. It’s a way for the Catholics who attend to come together and celebrate the religious roots of Christmas together.
For cousins Frankie and Evelyn Gonzalez, who were attending for the first year in Lodi on Wednesday, it’s a chance to enjoy a long-time tradition. They like seeing the holiday decorations, and Evelyn loves the part celebrating Jesus’ birth.
“It’s neat because you spend it with your friends and family,” Frankie Gonzalez said.