Diocese celebrates nine days of the posadas

Intermountain Catholic

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Children representing Joseph and Mary lead angels and shepherds in the search for a safe place for the night during the posadas at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Dec. 21.

SALT LAKE CITY— All over the Diocese of Salt Lake City in the weeks before Christmas, parishes and missions celebrated the posadas, a Hispanic tradition that re-enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter on their journey to Bethlehem.

Some parishes were designated to celebrate a diocesan posada while others celebrate a parish one.

For some parishes like Saint Ann in Salt Lake City, this was the first year that they celebrated the posada as a parish. Others, like the Cathedral of the Madeleine, have been celebrating the tradition for more than 10 years.

The Hispanic Commission and the Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of the Hispanic Ministry plan the posadas in each parish and mission.

"All were welcome to the posadas," said Maria Cruz Gray, Hispanic Ministry director, referring to the fact that the posadas are open to all the community, whether they are parishioners or not, Catholic or members of a different religion, and no matter their culture, language or origin.

This year the parishes and missions that participated in the diocesan posadas were The Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Sacred Heart in Salt Lake City, Saint Henry in Brigham City, Saint Thomas Aquinas in Hyde Park, Saint Rose of Lima in Layton, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Salt Lake City, Saints Peter and Paul in West Valley, Our Lady of Lourdes in Magna, Saint Joseph in Ogden, and Saint Ann in Salt Lake City.