SALT LAKE CITY — Every year, nine days before Christmas, the posadas are celebrated in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, organized by the Hispanic Commission. This year 10 parishes will be celebrating diocesan posadas throughout the greater Salt Lake and Ogden areas."At the posadas we open our hearts and welcome everyone, not just the Hispanic or the Catholics, everyone," said Maria Cruz Gray, director of the dioceses’ Hispanic Ministry. The Spanish word "posada" means "inn" or "shelter," and these celebrations during Advent recreate Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Posadas are celebrated from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24, usually at night. These nights are said to represent the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary’s womb, or the nine-day journey that Mary and Joseph undertook to Bethlehem, and their search for shelter along the way. Frequently the celebration begins with a candle procession. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song is sung.... "posada te piden estos peregrinos, que vienen cansados..." ("Inn, we ask you as pilgrims, we have come very tired.") During the posadas, Mary and Joseph are represented by images or people. Others participate as well. While singing, those outside the house take the part of Joseph and Mary asking for shelter; the family inside responds as the innkeeper, saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until finally the innkeeper decides to let all in. The door is opened and everyone goes inside. Once inside the participants pray the rosary. After all the prayers comes a party for the children. Traditionally there are piñatas with the shape of the Christmas stars, and filled with peanuts in the shell, oranges, tangerines, sugar canes, and wrapped hard candy. The seven corners of each piñata represent the Seven Deadly Sins. The beating of the piñata symbolizes the mortification that Christians exercise in overcoming personal sin. The candy within each piñata characterizes the sweetness of God’s grace made available to us through the birth of Jesus. In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, a different parish will host the posadas each night. "Everyone is invited to the diocesan posadas," said Gray. Posadas Diocesan Calendar: Dec. 16: Sacred Heart Parish, 174 East 900 South, SLC Dec. 17: Saint Henry Parish, 380 South 200 East, Brigham City Dec. 18: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 725 South 250 East, Hyde Park Dec. 19: Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 210 S. Chapel St., Layton Dec. 20: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 715 West, 300 North, SLC Dec. 21: The Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, SLC Dec. 21: Saints Peter and Paul Parish, 3560 West 3650 South West Valley City Dec. 21: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 2840 South 9000 West, Magna Dec. 22: Saint Joseph Parish, 506 24th St. Ogden Dec. 23: St. Ann, Salt Lake City (450 East 21000 South, SLC) Dec. 24: All the parishes and missions For more information, contact the Hispanic Ministry, 801-328-8641 ext. 332 or 361.
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