Celebrating the Holidays

Heriberto Quiroz
Published: December 31, 2009

Pilsen Posadas

Children and parents collect candy from a smashed pinata from the Chicago Community Bank.

Heriberto Quiroz

The Pilsen community held its first Las Posadas in Pilsen, despite the weather. The community visited well-known storefronts, such as Mundial Cocina Meztiza, Don Churro, Studio One and Kristoffer's Cafe'. During the events in the neighborhood, "ponche" was distributed to the people. After the Posadas, participants went to the Mananitas to the Virgen de Guadalupe and another celebration at Tenochtitlan in the heart of Pilsen.

[Watch our video of how a local restaurant puts together its special ponche recipe here]

Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe

Saint Ann church celebrating la dia de la virgen de guadalupe.

Heriberto Quiroz

In addition to Las Posadas, Pilsen celebrated Las Mananitas de la Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12th, as is done every year. Varieties of churches took part in this rich Mexican tradition. St. Ann, St. Procopious and St. Pius decorated their churches with flowers of castillo where the image of the Virgin Mary is located.

I took part in the celebration in St. Ann, where Father Felipe celebrated Mass during this special Mexican holiday. After Mass, the church put on a play telling the story how La Patrona de Mexico was presented to a Indian name Juan Diego during harsh times of war and discrimination amoung the people from the pueblo. La Virgen de Guadalupe brought peace to the pueblo, and many people from different cultures came to her for help through harsh struggles.

Santa Claus is Coming to Pilsen

St. Ann church decorated to honor La Patrona de las Americas.

Heriberto Quiroz

El Hogar Del Nino held their annual Christmas celebration. Toys where distributed to different sections of the building with the help of Santa and his fellow helpers during this Christmas day. Different organizations like Cabrera Capital Markets, Banco Popular, Azteca Foods, Harris Bank and Target helped to donate and spread the Christams joy.