Posadas create a joyful spirit for Advent

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester joins the posada at the Centro Civico Mexicano on Dec. 18. See more photos on the Intermountain Catholic Facebook page.

SALT LAKE CITY — Las Posadas celebrations all over the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City offered joy to everybody.

Las Posadas is a Hispanic tradition that enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn during their journey to Bethlehem. In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the nine-day celebration started Dec. 16 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. During each of the following days a different parish hosted the event.

Also on Dec. 16, an interfaith Posada began at the Crossroads Urban Center and ended at the Cathedral of the Madeleine just prior to the start of the diocesan event.

At the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, gave a special message.

"Tonight I was among the people who were asking for Posada [shelter]. Many of us like to be always inside and not outside," said Bishop Wester, referring to the fact that the night was very cold outside, while inside it was warm, and sometimes people like to be in comfort without realizing that others struggle.

During the Posadas, many children played the parts of Mary and Joseph. Among them was María Guadalupe Galvez, who said that she was very proud to represent the Virgin Mary at the posada at the cathedral.

"I am very proud and happy; for me it is very important that we are teaching them our traditions," said Karla Galvez, María’s mother.

For its Posada, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church had a huge celebration at the Centro Cívico Mexicano in downtown Salt Lake on Dec. 18.

"Advent is a time for preparation, for a strong preparation in our spiritual lives", said Father Javier Virgen, vicar for Hispanic Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, during the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Posada. "We have asked for shelter and we have given shelter, but more than anything, we have to give shelter in our hearts, being always compassionate, understanding, merciful."

Thousands gathered to hear music interpreted by two different choirs, one Anglo and one Hispanic.

"We stopped doing this celebration this big during the past three years, but here we are, we are doing it again," said José Luis Palestino, Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner and one of the event organizers.

In all, 50 parishioners from Our Lady of Guadalupe participated in the representations and performances at this particular Posada.

"We will have a lot of lights and different effects; we are very excited because it’s the first time we are using them," said Palestino before the event, adding that they were prepared to receive 1,500 people at least.

"It’s important that our kids participate to preserve our traditions," said Himelda Soto, a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe who had one of her kids participating as an angel in the Posadas.

All the posadas include praying the rosary and singing traditional music. Typically the prayers are followed by a celebration. At the cathedral, piñatas and tamales were the delight of the people.

At the Our Lady of Guadalupe event, music, aguinaldos [candies for the kids], performances with live animals on stage and the lights made the celebration very memorable.

At the other parishes, young and old alike of various cultural backgrounds gathered as Catholics to celebrate Advent, waiting to receive one more year of Our Lord Jesus in their lives.

"I want to thank all of you for your faith and for your presence in our diocese," Bishop Wester said. "It’s an honor to be your shepherd."