The following story is about the Posadas at a ranch in Duval County in the early 1900s. Before 1910 it was common to celebrate Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem. The event has remained engraved in the minds of the children and adults of the whole community because of the manner and devotion the family attached to the ritual.

Anastacia and Natalia Sáenz in dresses made by sister Guadalupe, c. 1920

Mrs. Josefa Sáenz Barrera was an aunt to Nataliaand Anastacia.She lived close to a ranch that was later named Santo Niño, and she hosted the Posadas in her home. Mrs. Tomasita Canales, who held these Posadas on a ranch named Mazatlán for many years before 1900, passed this tradition on to Tía Josefa. A woman named Doña Eulogia acted as the godmother, or madrina, to the Christ Child in the Posada.

Doña Eulogia also had a home altar with small rocks fixed in a manner and shape to represent the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, as well as other saints and virgins. When Doña Eulogia died, all these rocks were placed in her coffin.

When Mrs. Tomasita Canales felt she could not carry on with the tradition of the Posadas, she asked Tía Josefa to continue with them. Tía Josefa accepted gladly. She received the hymns, songs, and other written materials used by Mrs. Canales. Tía Josefa learned all the hymns, songs, and other prayers by memory because she did not know how to read. Through these Posadas, many members of the community learned the songs, hymns, and prayers that narrated the true meaning of Christ's birth. This was carried out with a lot of love, feeling, and meaning. It helped everyone to understand the mystery of Christ's birth and to be more faithful.

The Posadas were celebrated at night on December 24. For many days before the 24th, all the surrounding families prepared for this event. Some nieces, including Lupe, Andreita, and Petra, helped by writing copies of all the songs, called cantos; hymns, called himnos; and prayers, called alabanzas, so all the people could participate.

Two brothers, Anastacio and Amado Sáenz, and their families killed a hog to make tamales and a pastry called turcos. Turcos were made of pie dough filled with ground pork meat, raisins, and nuts. Other neighboring families baked sweet bread called pan dulce, cakes and cookies, and pastries that were served with coffee or hot chocolate after the supper.

Early on the 24th, the families of all the nearby neighbors gathered to start the cooking fires for the supper. Because the nights were usually cold, they kept the fires burning outside so people could stay warm during the night. The people from the surrounding community began coming early in the afternoon. Supper was served before dark.

After supper the Posada began. The doors to the house were closed. One group of women stayed inside and gathered around a lantern called a lámpara de aros. Another group stayed outside with another lantern to sing the songs from their written lyrics. The group outside sang a canto asking for lodging, or posada, at the inn. The group inside responded in song again, refusing the room. Then the outside group proceeded with these cantos, moving to several of the doors and windows until they were permitted to enter. Finally, all the "pilgrims" were allowed to enter, including those representing Joseph and Mary.

Josefa Sáenz Barrera in her home with the altar and nativity scene she made

Tía Josefa had two large rooms that she cleared for this ritual. She also provided benches and chairs to seat everyone. The rooms filled with women and children most of the time, while the men stayed outside. Then Tía Josefa began reciting a rosary. At the end of each stanza of rosary prayers, a firecracker known as a Roman candle was lit by Fabricio, Tía Josefa's son. These firecrackers hurled seven balls of fire in different colors. Her brother, Anastacio, bought the firecrackers. When the rosary ended, the people recited prayers and placed the crib and the Baby Jesus in the center of the room for the adoration.

A group of the women sang the song, or canto: "Pasen a adorar al Niño, Pasen hombres y mujeres, Pasen todos a adorar, que el Niño ha nacido." "Come and adore the Child, come all you men and women, come and adore, the Child has been born."

While the singing was going on, the Christ Child's godmothers, madrinas, would rock the cradle. Every man, woman, and child came forward to adore Jesus. They knelt close to the crib, kissed the Child, and gave gifts. These gifts were usually money in small denominations, such as nickels, quarters, and occasionally bills. The group also sang another psalm or hymn:

"Para remedio del hombre, nació el author de la Vida." "For the hope of mankind, the author of life has been born." There may have been other significant rituals and prayers recited at the time, but they have escaped memory since this happened more than half a century ago.

The blessing of the compadres, or co-parents, was another part of the Rosary. This ritual utilized a small wooden cross with flowers that hung near the altar. It required two persons who wanted to have their compadre relationship blessed. This might be two women or two men or one man and one woman. One person would unhook the cross and hold hands with the other person. Then the person holding the cross said:

After the participants spoke the words, they were comadres or compadres forever. They then hung the cross for someone else to use. This ritual is no longer practiced.

Tiá Josefa had games for the children in various rooms of the house as well as outside. Sometimes oranges and apples were given to the children. While the adoration was taking place, sparklers were lit. The children lined up to take their turn waving the sparklers.

After the adoration, all the people wished each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year in a very loving atmosphere. Some of the relatives exchanged small gifts. Most of the people brought Tía Josefa some kind of a small gift in appreciation for the Posada. There was a strong atmosphere of love and unity among all the people.

After the Posada ceremonies, the hostess served refreshments. In the kitchen, a large wood-burning stove warmed big pots of coffee for everyone. After the Posada, the guests enjoyed sweet breads, cakes, pastries, coffee, and hot chocolate. People stayed awhile, talking until after midnight. As everyone started home, the host family gave the departing visitors a bag with tamales, pieces of cake, and sweet bread to take home. There were midnight masses in San Diego about twenty miles away or in Benavides about fifteen miles away as well, but at least 150 or 200 people attended the Posada every year.

Tía Josefa passed away on July 18, 1958. No one remained to carry on these traditional Posadas. It is unfortunate that this beautiful devotion that served as religious instruction for many people ended. In all the years these Posadas were held in her home, there was never an accident, fight, or argument among the people attending.