A Mexican Tradition : Catholic Charities Holds Las Posadas Celebration for Needy

By 11 a.m. Wednesday, a line of more than 400 needy children and their parents had formed across a union hall parking lot, awaiting the moment when the annual Las Posadas celebration would begin.

The traditional Mexican Christmas celebration, the restless children knew, would conclude with a party, a visit from Santa and with toys and cookies and treats.

The third annual event was sponsored by the Catholic Charities of Orange County, which operates an outreach program for low-income people. The event was presided by Auxiliary Bishop of Orange Michael P. Driscoll, who is also the vicar of charities.

“About 81% of the clients in the outreach program are Hispanic, and many of them may be on the move or lack a community base,” said Sister Kristan Schlichte, executive director of Catholic Charities. “We wanted to give them a sense of allowing them to feel at home. We wanted to support their traditions.”

Las Posadas literally means “The Inns,” and the ritual commemorates the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary. Marchers knock on doors singing songs requesting shelter and are refused entry until they are finally recognized.

“It’s a story a lot of them can relate to,” said Msgr. Jaime Soto, Episcopal vicar for the Hispanic community. “Being turned away, discriminated against, seeking shelter--it’s their story.”

On Wednesday morning, the children waited anxiously for the procession to begin. Some mothers had carefully dressed their children in brightly colored clothes with curly ribbons in their hair.

“We brought the children so they could have some fun and enjoy Christmas,” said Linda Rodriguez, 45, of Anaheim, who volunteers for the food distribution program that operates out of the union hall. Rodriguez brought her niece and several of her 11 grandchildren.

Driscoll confessed to being a little lost.

“I’ve never been to a Las Posadas, so I’m not sure know what to do,” he confessed. One of the women handed him a song sheet and told him not to worry.

A couple representing Joseph and Mary stood beside him. The ceremony began as Mary knocked on the first door alongside the union hall. When it creaked open, the marchers sang a song asking for shelter. Faceless voices behind the door turned them away with other songs.

At the second door, they were refused again.

The line circled the building and approached the double glass doors in the front where they were recognized and welcomed. The doors opened wide and the children spilled into the large auditorium, which was decorated with tinsel and a giant Christmas tree. The traditional Mexican celebration usually ends with a pinata for the children to break, but instead, there were toys from Santa.

“I came to help because of the Christmas spirit,” said Ralph Rivera, 49, of Santa Ana, who was dispensing hot chocolate. “Since it’s the posadas, I like to see all the kids,” said the recently unemployed carpenter.

A guest, Stella Solares, 29, a Santa Ana mother of four, said, “We don’t have enough money to buy the children gifts because of the recession. They wanted to receive gifts and to see Santa.”

The bishop, meanwhile, had changed his dress and reappeared as Santa. He sat in a red chair on the raised stage which was decorated with giant candy canes, tinsel and colored lights. Children lined up to receive gifts that came in stockings or decorated brown paper bags.

“More and more people who come here are unemployed,” said Alonzo Palacio, director of the food distribution program, who had been busy overseeing the event. “They’re often undocumented and can’t receive welfare. We offer assistance and don’t ask for papers.”