Latinos continue tradition of Posada

By Meredith Heagney

Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS

They huddled on the porch, their babies in their arms and candles lighted, pleading in song to be let into the house.

En el nombre del cielo os pido posada,

Pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.

“In the name of heaven, I ask you for lodging, for my beloved wife can’t go on.”

The few people inside initially resisted, singing back that the visitors should leave. Eventually, after several verses had been sung back-and-forth, the door opened.

A young man led the way inside, carrying an altar bearing statues of Mary and Joseph surrounded by a garland and tiny evergreen trees.

This was the scene Wednesday night at the Columbus home of Carlos and Johana Andrino, a Guatemalan-American couple who attend St. James the Less Catholic Church in North Linden.

About 60 people crowded into their home for Las Posadas, an annual Christmas tradition born in Mexico. For nine nights before Christmas, people gather at homes to re-enact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Jesus was born. Friday night was the last night of Posadas.

At first, like Mary and Joseph, the travelers find no refuge. But eventually, just as Mary and Joseph found the manger, the worshippers are allowed inside.

Mrs. Andrino handed out rosaries with turquoise-colored beads, knelt on the floor and led the group in prayer. “Santa Maria, madre de Dios,” she said — “Holy Mary, mother of God.”

Between Hail Marys, Manuel Andrade played guitar and led the group in Christmas carols, such as the Spanish version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

Afterward, the guests ate chicken empanadas, tamales, chicken-salad sandwiches and flan. Mrs. Andrino had spent three days preparing to host the Posada.

The tradition originated in the 16th century, said Allert Brown-Gort, associate director of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

The number nine is significant in part because it is the number of months Mary carried Jesus in her womb, he said. Sometimes, instead of carrying statues, people dress up like Mary and Joseph.

The event usually includes a pinata, which often is shaped like the star of Bethlehem. Traditionally, it would have seven points for the seven deadly sins, Brown-Gort said. Breaking the pinata represents fighting sin, and the sweets that fall out symbolize the blessings of God. The Andrinos didn’t have a pinata Wednesday night.

Other Columbus churches with Spanish-speaking members have Posadas, too. Parroquia Santa Cruz in the University District had its last one Thursday, and Christ the King Catholic Church on the East Side will had a one-night Posada before Christmas Eve Mass.

St. Peter Catholic Church on the Northwest Side will have its last of nine Posadas tonight at the church. The congregation is offering Posadas for the first time as an outreach to the Latino community.

At St. Mary School in Delaware, sixth-graders went from classroom to classroom Dec. 16, singing in Spanish and asking to be let inside.

Back at the Andrinos’, Luis Perez explained that the tradition differs from country to country. In his native Puerto Rico, for example, the faithful wake one another late at night going door-to-door.

In the United States, Latino immigrants from various countries come together to celebrate Christmas, Perez explained. “We try to make community so people can stay together and keep the traditions and culture alive.”