Story and Photos by Peter Willott
A centuries-old Spanish Christmas tradition returned to one of the most sacred sites in American Catholic history Dec. 13 as the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche hosted Las Posadas, a living reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before the birth of Jesus.
Held on the shrine’s Sacred Acre at Mission Nombre de Dios, the event featured participants dressed in period clothing, processions, sacred music and prayer, blending history, faith and Christmas tradition at a site recognized as the birthplace of Catholicism in what is now the United States.
Las Posadas, which translates to “the inns,” dates to the 16th century and was introduced in 1587 in Acolman, Mexico, by Augustinian friars as a catechetical devotion to teach the Nativity story through prayer, song and procession, particularly among Indigenous peoples in the Spanish world. Participants symbolically follow Mary and Joseph as they are turned away from one lodging place after another before finally finding refuge in a manger.
“We’re replicating what it might have been like here in St. Augustine in the 1590s,” said Bob Alvarez, chief executive officer of the Historic Florida Militia, a nonprofit reenactment organization that has helped stage the event for several years. “It’s a combination of Christmas tradition, historical tradition and the Catholic faith, all coming together in one place.” Alvarez is a parishioner at St. Ambrose Parish in Elkton.
Founded in 1981, the Historic Florida Militia portrays Spanish colonial life through living-history programs. Alvarez said Las Posadas has become an important way to keep early St. Augustine history alive while honoring the religious meaning of the season.
“History has taken a backseat for a long time,” Alvarez said. “Events like this help people understand not just what happened here, but why it still matters.”
Peter Mitalas, operations director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, said the location gives the reenactment particular significance. The Sacred Acre marks the site where Spanish explorers and missionaries celebrated the first Catholic Mass in 1565.
“This is where Catholicism began in North America,” Mitalas said. “Recreating Las Posadas here connects the Nativity story to the very roots of faith in this country.”
Throughout the afternoon and evening, participants processed across the grounds to four designated “inns,” culminating near the historic chapel, where a manger scene marked the symbolic birthplace of Christ. Sacred music accompanied the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Mitalas said Las Posadas is as much an act of worship as it is a historical reenactment.
Celebrated during Advent, the procession invites participants to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s coming rather than focusing solely on holiday festivities.
“This isn’t just about remembering a story from the past,” Mitalas said. “It’s about encountering the living Christ here and now and preparing our hearts for Christmas.”
Visitors said the experience added meaning to their holiday travels. Rosa Herrera, who visited the mission with her family from Orlando while attending St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, said she appreciated the opportunity to experience Las Posadas.
“It was nice that my children got to experience the true story of Christmas firsthand this year,” Herrera said.
The shrine, located at 101 San Marco Ave., remains open daily except Christmas Day, where the pilgrim Mass will be celebrated at noon. Organizers said Las Posadas has become an annual tradition, offering locals and visitors a chance to experience Christmas as it may have been celebrated more than four centuries ago.
