For those who celebrated Las Posadas at the end of last year, the words evoke thoughts of chilly nights, singing, eating and spreading holiday cheer. For those who did not, they should consider finding out what they are all about, according to Father Eduardo Malagon, pastor of St. Casimir in Hammond. “It’s party time,” he exclaimed.
The words “las posadas” mean the inns or lodging, and the celebration of las posadas recognizes and recreates the Christmas story. Typically for nine evenings, Dec. 16-24, Las Posadas commemorates the search by St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary to find a place to stay for Jesus to be born.
“During this event we meditate about the poverty of St. Joseph and Mary,” Father Malagon said. “We reflect on their extreme poverty and their seeking shelter. There is no room for them at the inns, so they end up in a place of extreme poverty.
“Many of our parishioners are immigrants here,” Father Malagon said. “They sympathize and recognize the hardship. We walk outside so we are out in the cold as Joseph and Mary would have been, and we sing. We try to live a little bit of what they experienced.”
According to tradition, in addition to retelling the Christmas story, Las Posadas in Mexico features hot food and drinks, sweets, music, and piñatas – which is what churches in the Diocese of Gary replicate.
Mercedes Austgen, pastoral associate for Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake, said in past years parishioners would process outside as a group and knock on neighborhood doors; however, that part has changed. Now they simply knock at one door inside the school gym.
Still the meaning is clear, Austgen noted. “We participate in the journey to Bethlehem and the challenges faced by Mary and Joseph,” she said. “It’s part of our preparation for Christmas.”
She said participants appreciate the event that includes music, praying the rosary, a delicious, warm meal prepared by parishioners and comradery. “People come together and share their traditions. It’s important to recognize and to understand all celebrations related to the birth of Jesus,” said Austgen.
Parishioner Elsa Cortez said she looks forward to Las Posadas each year and that, in addition to helping her prepare for Christmas, it helps set a Christ-filled tone for the next year.
“It reminds us of the meaning of Christmas,” said Cortez. “Jesus loves us so much and we must share that love with others. It is such a spirit-filled, faith-filled time. And then you have the benefit of it bringing us into the community. It is not just an individual thing. We share our faith and we share a meal.”
Cortez explained that the tradition of las posadas began in Europe and was brought to the Americas by the Spaniards. She researched and discovered that posadas in Mexico began as a way for the Spaniards to teach native people about Christmas. Masses included representations of Mary and Joseph, prayers and a warm meal.
Today, participants sing the posada litany together, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search, going back and forth until they finally find a place to stay. For the litany, people are divided in two groups, one representing Mary and Joseph and their quest for a room, and a second representing the innkeepers. Then after the more somber parts of the evenings, people are blindfolded before striking a piñata with a stick which symbolizes faith defeating temptations and sin with the help of virtue, Cortez explained.
The sweets and fruits that pour out of the piñata represent the joys of union with God, added Cortez. In addition to being held at churches, las posadas can be held in neighborhoods and people’s homes, becoming a more personalized, familial occasion, as well as preparation for Christmas. “No matter where you are, the festivities always include plenty of food, music and fellowship,” she said.
Between 30 to 60 people attend each evening at St. Casimir. Father Malagon noted the importance of las posadas as the new year begins. “As we start our new year, we have to persevere…The Holy Family persevered. Every year is a new beginning; every day is a new day. We have to work to love God and to love one another.”
He hopes next December even more people will choose to attend Las Posadas. “Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate and ponder the journey,” said Father Malagon.