As you and your family enjoy your own customs and traditions surrounding your celebration of Advent and Christmas, we invite you to experience with us one of our cherished Advent traditions – our Christmas Novena of Las Posadas.

Las Posadas translated as “the inns or accommodations” has a rich tradition originating in Spain, the land of our holy Mother, Saint Teresa of Avila, and is a highly anticipated religious celebration in Mexican culture. Our Mother Foundress, Venerable Mother Luisita, carried this treasured tradition with her as she and our founding Sisters fled to the United States from the religious persecution in their native Mexico.

The traditional celebration of Posadas usually entails traveling to a different family’s house with the Peregrinos or pilgrims, Mary and Joseph, to knock on the door seeking shelter. When welcomed into the house where a place has been prepared for the Holy Family, the people pray together and then enjoy a meal. Starting nine days before Christmas, each evening, in every single one of our convents, our sisters gather to celebrate Posadas. Instead of going to different houses, we carry our Peregrinos, Joseph leading Mary on a donkey, to different rooms in the convent where we have prepared a special place for them. We pray the rosary together and yes, we enjoy a little treat…a spiritual gift of prayers and a dessert to enjoy after dinner.

Below you will find a reflection and prayers for each day of the Christmas Novena. Join us as we accompany Mary and Joseph on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and pray with us as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus.

December 16…Day One