Las Posadas
by Jayne Gallo
T
he cold is numbing as the pro-
cession winds through the dark
streets of Marathon, Texas.
Flashlights give spotty glimpses of
occasional road hazards, which disrupt
neither the journey nor the prayers
offered by the pilgrims of all ages who
gather for each of nine nights in
December, to continue a religious and
cultural tradition embraced both by
Catholics and many Protestant
denominations.
They are participating in Las
Posadas, a reenactment of the journey
of Mary and Joseph over 2,000 years
ago as they sought shelter upon their
arrival in Bethlehem. Their travels,
mandated by the decree of the King of
Judea so that a census could be con-
ducted, took them to the crowded
streets where they repeatedly were
refused lodging, despite Mary’s
advanced pregnancy. Las Posadas
commemorates their difficulties and
the lack of hospitality they experienced
as they sought a place for Mary to give
birth to Jesus.
Today’s pilgrims in Marathon fol-
low in the footsteps of Don Crescencio
and Doña Domitila Sanchez, a deeply-
religious Catholic family who brought
the tradition of Las Posadas with them
when they arrived in town from
Mexico in 1968. After their passing in
the 1990s, their daughter Chelo
Estrada and her late husband Leo con-
tinued to gather family, friends and
parishioners of St. Mary Catholic
Mission to honor both her parents and
their family’s religious heritage.
Most likely, Las Posadas originated
as a means for European missionaries
to teach the native people stories about
the birth of Jesus, and were patterned
after medieval Bible plays which pro-
vided instruction in scripture and the-
ology to those unable to read.
Introduced in Mexico in the 16th cen-
tury, the tradition spread throughout
what is now Central America and the
Southwestern United States. Today it
continues in places as diverse as
Albuquerque, New Mexico, San
Antonio, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah,
and the Raleigh/Wake Forest area of
26
Cenizo
- The Search for Shelter
North Carolina - and wherever there
are communities of Hispanics who
hold fast to the religious practices
passed down through the generations.
Las Posadas is a Novenio, a nine-
day period of prayer. Beginning on
December 16th, the ritual takes place
each night. The pilgrims gather at a
predetermined house. Prayers are ded-
icated to the Holy Family of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph to prepare for the
journey. The group, often including
entire families, follows those represent-
ing Joseph and Mary to another house.
In days past Mary and Joseph were
often portrayed by a young boy and
girl, who would sometimes ride on a
donkey offered by a local resident for
the Novenio. In Marathon now, they
are depicted in a small manger-like
tableau on a portable base which is
carried by various people, one at a
time. During the procession lit candles
may be carried, and the Rosary is
prayed – a series of five sets of prayers.
Each set is known as a decade and con-
sists of an Our Father followed by 10
Hail Marys.
That is the Catholic prayer which
recounts the announcement of the
Angel Gabriel to Mary that she was
chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the
Son of God, as well as the response of
Mary’s cousin Elizabeth who was the
mother of John the Baptist. (See Luke
1: 26 – 45) Songs are also sung
between each decade of the Rosary as
the people walk. Then they arrive at
their destination:
“En el nombre del cielo os pido posada,
pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.”
“In the name of heaven I ask you
for shelter, for my beloved wife can go
no farther.”
These words are sung from outside
by those representing Mary and
Joseph as they arrive at the “posada,”
the place where they are hoping to rest
from their travels from Nazareth.
Those inside the dwelling deny access
as they sing:
“Ya se pueden ir y no molestar porque si me
enfado los voy a apalear.”
“You may go now and don’t bother
us anymore because if I get angry I will
First Quarter 2017
Jonathan Paredes carries the tableau representing Joseph and Mary seeking refuge through the streets of
Marathon during the first of nine days' processions.
beat you.”
After several stanzas of dialogue are
sung, those in the house finally agree to
give Mary and Joseph a place to rest.
“Entren, peregrinos, no los conocia.
“Enter, pilgrims, I didn’t recognize
you.”
Everyone is then admitted and the
final verse is sung:
“Esta noche es de alegria de gusto y de
regocijo porque hospedaremos aqui a la Madre
de Dios Hijo.”
“Tonight is for joy, for pleasure and
rejoicing for tonight we will give lodg-
ing to the Mother of God the Son.”
Joyful concluding prayers are recit-
ed and songs sung to celebrate the cou-
ple’s arrival to the posada, the resting
place. The family receiving them pre-
pares a delicious meal of traditional
foods for all to enjoy, as adults and
children alike enjoy eating and visiting
with each other.
The next night the pilgrims assem-
ble at the house where Mary and
Joseph have rested. The procession,
prayers and hymns are repeated as
everyone travels to the next house, and
the request for shelter and denials are
made again. On the ninth and final
night, Christmas Eve, the destination
may be at church. In Marathon, it typ-
ically has been at Chelo Estrada’s
home, where the Holy Family will rest
until next year, when Las Posadas will
again portray Mary and Joseph seek-
ing lodging in Bethlehem.
In many locations the tradition of
Las Posadas has been consistent for a
long period of time. In others, it has
been revived after a period of inaction.
In Alpine, Texas, Alma Betancourt of
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
organized Las Posadas in 2015 and
again in 2016. The San Antonio River
Walk has been the site for Las Posadas
since 1966. St. Augustine, Florida has
celebrated it for over 400 years. And,
the celebration also occurs in the
Philippines.
The Catholic Diocese of El Paso,
which includes the Big Bend region, in
December 2016 hosted a Migrant
Posada with events at nine different
parish churches in the El Paso area.
The focus was on the plight of today’s
immigrants who, like Mary and
Joseph, find themselves in need of
acceptance and welcome.
Las Posadas is a tradition which
recreates an historical, profound event
in the Holy Family’s journey to
Bethlehem. It reminds us that so many
are in need of hospitality and welcome
today, as Mary and Joseph were over
2,000 years ago. We can reject those in
need, or open our hearts to be gener-
ous in spirit. In Las Posadas, we are
called to be people who share a
Christmas message of hospitality,
every day of the year.