Sharing the Journey with a Villancico, Posole and a Piñata

Los Peregrinos: En el nombre del cielo, yo os pido posada, pues no puede andar, mi esposa amada...Los Hosteleros: Aquí no es mesón, sigan adelante, no les puedo abrir, no vaya a ser un tunante...Los Peregrinos: No sean inhumanos Dennos caridad Que el dios de los cielos Se lo premiará...Los Hosteleros: Ya se pueden ir, y no molestar Porque si me enfado Los voy a apalear...  See Full Text of Song in Spanish and in English (scroll down to pages 5-9 for words and sheet music).

A posada, a Mexican tradition of holding a novena to reenact a search for shelter by Joseph and Mary, was the perfect way to commemorate the closing of the art exhibit featuring works by immigrants, refugees as well as anyone who is on some form of spiritual search in Albuquerque.  The closing event was held on Dec. 16, the same day that posadas traditionally begin. A tradition for many neighborhoods in Mexico is for families to take turns hosting the posada on each of the nights through Christmas eve.

Artistic Expressions at the Abbey
The posada at Santa Maria de la Vid Norbertine Abbey in the South Valley of Albuquerque provided a last opportunity for local residents to view the expressions on canvass and on cloth from more than 40 local artists.

The evening began with traditional vespers for the Norbertine community, followed by the singing of Villancico para Pedir Posada (Searching for an Inn Carol) where Joseph and Mary are requesting lodging at an inn. The singing was led by a group from Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community (see video below)  The first couple of stanzas are at the top of this blog post and the final stanzas are below the video.

The villancico was followed by a Mass, presided by Norbertine Father Graham Golden, who was one of the main curators of the exhibit. The art show opened with a big reception on November 3. There was also a radio show to promote the exhibit as well as the Vatican's global Share the Journey campaign to support immigrants and refugees everywhere.  Archbishop John Wester and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe launched the campaign locally with a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis  in Santa Fe on Sept. 27.

New Mexico-style posole
After Mass, the public was invited to partake in posole cooked the New Mexican style (with red chile). The ladies who made the posole probably had their own recipe to make the delicious stew. Here is a recipe from Bueno Foods in Albuquerque. The use of red chile is what gives gives this dish its New Mexico flavor. There are many different types of pozole in Mexico (where the word is spelled with a z instead of an s)  In Mexico, other foods are served at the post-posada party (and yes, a posada is a great opportunity to celebrate the season with your neighbors and friends).  What I remember from my days in Mexico City was that our hosts often served a corn-meal based beverage called atole and/or Mexican hot chocolate.

 'Dale, dale, dale...No pierdas el tino'
Additionally, as is the custom in many Mexican households, children were given the opportunity to break open a piñata filled with candy and other goodies.  And yes, there is a song (more of an a capella chant) that accompanies the breaking of the piñata. This is basically a song that encourages the youngsters to hit their mark (the piñata). Otherwise, they lose their way.  Dale, dale, dale...No pierdas el tino...Porque si lo pierdes...Pierdes el camino

In Mexico, the youngsters are blinfolded. (There was no blindfold for the local kids in Albuquerque)

Here is the video of most of the villancico.  I apologize for the grainy nature of the video.  My recording equipment is not very sophisticated, particularly during recordings with little light.  The sound is very good.  The words of the last stanzas (after the video) indicate a happy resolution in the search for shelter by the Holy Family.




Los Hosteleros: Eres tú José Tu esposa es María Entren peregrinos.. No los conocía Los Peregrinos: Dios pague señores Nuestra caridad Y os colme el cielo De felicidad TODOS… Dichosa la casa Que abriga este día A la virgen pura La hermosa María. Entren Santos Peregrinos, Reciban este rincón, que aunque es pobre la morada, os la doy de corazón.