Old Mission
Founded 1804
Capuchin Franciscan
Santa Inés
Solvang, California
Sacred Heart Sisters
Mission Santa Inés

Las Posadas Tradition

   
Las Posadas commemorate Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay for the Christ Child to be born. 

Las Posadas Song

For 2022, Las Posadas December 15 - December 23 at these locations:

December 15, 7PM San Lorenzo Seminary
1820 Sky Drive, Santa Ynez
805 688-5630
December 16, 7PM Familia Aguilar
362 Gay Dr  Buellton
707 474-2128
December 17, 7PM Luz and Vecinos
281 5th Street  Solvang
805 350-8811
December 18, 7PM Familia Franco
374 Thumbelina Dr  Buellton
805 350-3885
December 19, 7PM Armada Blanca
Jardin en la Misión  Solvang
805 588-0068
December 20, 7PM Maguito and Vecinos
600 Central Ave   Buellton
805 697-6025
December 21, 7PM Oscar and Cecilia Lopez
447 Perkins St.  Los Alamos
805 245-8765
December 22, 7PM Old Mission Santa Inés
1760 Mission Dr.  Solvang
805 688-4815
December 23, 7 PM Carlos y Ana Muñoz
Misión Santa Ynez  Solvang
805 602-7624

Please contact the parish office at 688-4815 for more information.

The Las Posadas event is organized by the Hispanic Comité Organizardor de Fiestas Ministry.

While Las Posadas is a Catholic Hispanic tradition, it is celebrated by all at Old Mission Santa Inés. The Las Posadas tradition originated in Spain and was brought to Mexico from Spain in the 1500's by Catholic Missionaries. In Spanish, the word Posadas means dwelling or lodging.  The Posadas begin on December 15th for nine evenings until December 23rd followed by December 24th's Midnight Mass.   

Parishioners and anyone who wishes to join in meet at the locations and times listed above. The Posada begins with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, a very beautiful prayer to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  When a part of the Rosary is prayed by all those who have gathered for the
Posada, the group begins to proceed from the church to the local neighborhood.

The Posada can be led by a small group carrying a manger scene or the Posada can become quite elaborate with a live donkey and parishioners who are dressed like Mary and Joseph. Families in the parish are previously selected to participate in the Posada. Usually three locations are selected where the Posada does not take place. The participants stand before the door of each house and sing a song in Spanish asking to enter the house. A small group remains inside the house telling the outside group that it is impossible to enter. 

Another family has been already selected to provide the Posada. The group proceeds along the street to the Posada house.  Again, the Posada group sings from outside of the selected house and a small group sings the response from inside the house where the Posada will take place. 
La Posada dinner, provided by the host family, may include such Hispanic dishes as tamales, menudo and posoli. 

Each Posada ends with the traditional piñata that has seven corners. Each corner represents the Seven Deadly Sins.  The beating of the piñata symbolizes the mortification that Christians exercise in overcoming personal sin. The candy within each piñata characterizes the sweetness of God's grace made available to us through the birth of Jesus.