Two posadas commemorate story of Jesus' birth

POPLAR — A tradition that celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is growing.

Two groups held posadas Thursday, including a family that has kept the tradition alive for more than 20 years.  
Both events took place near Avenue 145 and Kilroy Street.

The posada is a nine-day pilgrimage — a Catholic and Hispanic tradition — in which participants reenact Mary and Joseph’s journey to find a place of shelter where Jesus could be born. The annual tradition takes place from Dec. 16 to 24. Their trials are told of in the Gospel of Luke

“I’ve done it forever and ever,” said Delores Herrera, who organized a nine-day posada with her family and friends. “My parents used to do it all the time, so I kept the tradition.

"I’ve been doing it for about 20 years. It’s mostly friends and family, but everybody can join. We do it in honor of my mom and dad, Leonarda and Francisco Trujilo, and every year we dedicate it to somebody who’s going through a rough time. We pray for them.”

Herrera’s parents started the tradition, and she has continued it since her mother died, she said.

She and a large group carried candles, sang songs about their journey and prayed Hail Marys as they made their way down Kilroy Street. They eventually stopped at 19165 Avenue 145. There, they sang a song in Spanish, asking for shelter.

They were turned down a couple of times before being let in. Once inside the home, they “prayed a Rosary” and were treated to cookies and soda pop in a cup.

Herrera has arranged for a place for statue symbolic of Mary and Joseph to stay each of the nine nights.
The roles of Mary and Joseph are played by Violet Chavarria, 7, and Jorje Ruiz, 5.

Each year, they dress up in robes and carry a statue of Joseph walking with a staff and the pregnant Virgin Mary, sitting on a donkey, as they lead the pack.

Each night, the house that opens its doors to the group is where the statue is left to “stay the night,” Herrera said. The next day, they pick up the statue and continue the pilgrimage from where they left off the night before.
Chavarria said she enjoys playing the role of Mary.

“It’s good. It’s about Jesus ... I get to learn about God and Jesus,” she said.
The group has held the posadas each year, starting at 4 p.m. each day. The last night — Christmas Eve — the pilgrimage lasts until 12 a.m. the next day.

“We pray and we get to the house. The people offer whatever they want to offer, sweet stuff, chocolate,” Herrera said.

In addition to Herrera’s group, another small group started a posada this year, in the same area.
Alejandra Olivares, 12, said participants were members of the Saint Anne’s church in Woodville, and La Santa Cruz in Porterville.

She and a few adults sang songs as they walked behind Sandra Chavez, 8, playing the part of Mary; Jorje Baldivia, 9, playing Joseph. Guadalupe Morales, 7, dressed as the angel who helped lead them out of Nazareth to Bethlehem.

“I’m happy, because I’m celebrating that God came,” Olivares said.

The children clasped their hands as they sang prayers and walked. They eventually stopped at Adams Tiny Mart, where they enjoyed posole (a soup) with a group of others who were also singing, in Spanish, prayers and other songs related to the theme.

“What we’re celebrating is the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ,” said Ausencio Carrillo, one of the adults in the group.

Another reason for the posada this year was to unite people who live in Poplar and want to start a Catholic church in the area, he said.

“[There is] a group of people here, in Poplar, Catholic mostly, doing raffles, having food sales, just to get a Catholic church here in Poplar ... They have churches for other religions but not a Catholic church,” said Carrillo.

“This is actually our second year that we’re doing this. Slowly but surely, street by street, we’re [making] some progress. It’s to get the community of Poplar more involved in our activities and teach the kids what the meaning of Christmas is.”

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