NEW YORK — During the year-end festivities, the Bronx will be the epicenter of a Posada by Immigration Reform, an annual event that will be held for the second consecutive year to raise collective awareness about the challenges faced by those who leave their nations in search of a better life.
Father Eric Cruz, parish priest of Holy Spirit Parish in The Bronx and director of Catholic Charities in the same county announced that his parish has mobilized, following the more than 22,000 immigrants who have arrived in the Big Apple seeking refuge in their flight from violence, persecution and inequality in their countries of origin.
“One of the main missions of the church is to accompany with prayer and in presence. We must accompany our displaced people, welcome them and show them that we will always be with them,” said Father Cruz.
Las Posadas are a traditional Catholic celebration that takes place for 9 days before Christmas, that is, from December 16 to 24. Each of the nine days represents values such as humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy, and generosity. The inns they invite people to walk in prayer accompanying Mary and Joseph as they seek refuge in a manger in Bethlehem.
“In the second edition of the Posada for Immigration Reform, it is hoped to empower and educate all the displaced, help them find that voice, discover the beauty of their lives (…) we know that we have reached such a point with them when they begin to speak openly, honestly about their experiences, the pain, the tears, but also the hope”, concluded Father Cruz.
The Inn for the Immigration Reform, which will take place this Friday, December 16, the third week of Advent, also has the mission of advancing conversations with local politicians, “we have to speak to them out loud,” said Father Cruz. In addition, he assured that it is important to persevere with these conversations that will undoubtedly translate into benefits for those seeking refuge, “they only ask for a new life. This is not a matter of parties, they are human beings, sons and daughters of God”, he pointed out.
La Posada will have a route of 4 (four) stations, where they will pray in solidarity for all those immigrants who are seeking refuge in the “nation of opportunities”, and to this end, Father Eric assures that although Las Posadas are a tradition Catholic, are experiences for everyone: immigrants, tourists and people of other religions, “we have many collaborators, including Jews, Muslims and atheists, all people of good will. There is a seat for everyone at this table,” the priest asserted.
The migratory ministries of the Archdioceses of Chicago and Baltimore will join the New York activity of simultaneously together with other dioceses and archdioceses from all over the country that have wanted to adhere to this noble cause.
The tour of the four seasons, which will take place this Friday, December 16 starting at 11:00 am, will be accompanied by songs, verses to request a posada and the prayer of the Holy Rosary:
- First Station: Saint Anthony of Padua Church (166 Street & Prospect Avenue, Bronx).
- second station: Office of Senator Luis Sepúlveda (900 Rogers Place).
- Third Station: NYPD 41st Precinct (Longwood Ave).
- Fourth station: Corpus Christi Monastery (Garrison Ave).
As part of this process, the Archdiocese of New York, through Holy Spirit Parish, He hopes to document the experiences of all those immigrants who wish to tell their stories and with them publish an annual book as a tribute to the displaced, the dispossessed and the undocumented who live in fear and in the shadows.
It is hoped that at this year’s Posada, immigrants and displaced persons will feel welcomed and have the confidence to share their powerful testimonies, so that the general population understands what it means to escape in search of a better life.