El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-12-20
TO ali others for their notable journeys /
4 Nine-Day Play.

TO ali others for their notable journeys
4 Nine-Day Play.
Nine days was the required time 20
make this imperative excursion Natur-
ally. ii is supposed that the lowly cou-
pie at the close OF the evening would
approach some dwelling on their route
and would seek a place for a nights
shelter. Il is this nightly incident that
is commemOrated in the performance
Of the --PasOdas"
The custom is that some prominent
Mexican family call together a number
Of friends best fitted TO play the diff
ferent parts and rehearse together IN
iii all is perfected The play occupies
nine nights. Each guest brings his own
candle. which is lighted by the leader Of
the ceremonies. It is in this play that all
meet on common ground There are no
high. no low; caste is relegated to the
background for all now are equal
Even the servants are allowed to take
part with the people Of the house in
what is regarded as a religious cere-
mOny.
Procession of the PaSodas.
a procession is formed. headed by
those who carry figures OF Mary and
Joseph She is illustrated rs seated
uDon an ass. led by Joseph, while over
their head hovers a very florid and
gaudily dressed angel guiding the pill
grims on their way The dresses OF
Mary and Joseph are often very in
cCngruOus. consisting OF red, yellow,
green. black and other gay colors- Jo-
The procession marches around the
house. repeatedly informing hymn or
litanv in honor of Mary When this is
finished. some of the party enter one Of
the rooms Of the house, and, having
entered. they close the door TO the
others at the head of which are the
figures of Joseph and the holy Virgin
4 verse dialog is then chanted. the
scene intending TO represent the nightly
request for shelter from the cold and
dangers Of the journey. Those outside
spa Ike in JOSeph's name and beg Tor au-
rnittance for himself and wife, in simple
verse something like this;
I beg for shelter
In His holy name.
I Joseph and
His blessed wife
Pilgrims Are Rejected.
Then the people OF the house. repre-
scented by those inside the room, at first
deny the favor, replying IN long
drawn chant:
No inn IS this:
BeCone from hence.
Ye may be thieves,
! trust you mott
From the outside in a deep continu-
Gus wailng again is heard:
Nv wife tonight
Can 20 no further
IN heavens name
Grant US shelter.
And so on and on in the same pa
thetic wall Then of a sudden the doors
are opened the pilgrims enter and arv
placed upon a mirrored altar, decked
with quantities of small lighted tapers,
many highly painted toys and much
glow and glitter. but nothing Of any
particular value Then all kneel and
recite in concert some holy prayer.
after which q tray is passed on which
are small jars or fancy bottles, con-
tanning little candies from which each
guest takes some as a compliment.
This little rite ends the ceremony OF
the .PasOdas"
Worldly Things Banished.
Many cOmical happenings occur
throughout the ceremony. yet to the
truly reVerential nature there is a SOL
emnity that marks the occasion. and
thoughts of that holy time at Bethle
hem Erapple at ones heart, and you
feel in this act of devotion OF a simple
people that you have been removed for
a time at least. from the vanities Of the
world from the petty chickering's,
Shams and falsities of modern life. and
for a little while you were conscious Of
a clean. simple faith, a sweet charity,
wherein the beauties OF God his love
ruled the hearts Of men and awOke
new meaning Of Christmas in your soul