Night of Los Posadas

On Sunday night the Sisters at Casa Maria held their Night of Los Posadas.  We have gone every year since the children were babies.  This year they asked Marc and Julia to be Saints Mary and Joseph!   We were thrilled!

We got there early and the Sisters put together their costumes.  To make the beard for St. Joseph they burned the end of a wine cork.  It worked!  :)

While the children were getting costumed we went to visit with our dear Father Lambert, the 97-year-old Dominican priest from Ireland who is still sharp as a tack!  He is such a joy to visit- he always has great stories.

Then they brought St. Mary and St. Joseph in to visit as well-

We were surprised when a few minutes later some shepherds came in!  :)  The Sisters who were watching the boys decided to play dress up!  :)

Soon it was time to begin the processional.  It works like this- we go to five inns- the first four deny us entry and we pray for people who are poor or unwelcome or in similar distress as we walk to the next inn carrying our lanterns.   We pray the five mysteries of the rosary between the Inns, and a Sister plays the violin as we walk.  Finally, the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph are given welcome in the final inn and we celebrate with singing  and cookies and hot chocolate.

Marky had to knock at the door of each inn and plead with the innkeeper to let us in.  :)

We all followed St. Gabriel and his star.

Talking with an Innkeeper-

"Well, we have no room available, but you and your wife can use our animal stall- come in!"

Happy at the end celebration!

Such a special, holy night and precious family tradition.  We are so grateful the Sisters let us have a special part in it this year!