Celebrating El Dia De Reyes

WARWICK — On Saturday evening, Jan. 3, members of the local Latino community joined together in a celebration of a Spanish Mass of the Epiphany at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, in Warwick.

Most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Reyes (literally "Kings' Day"), the Epiphany, on Jan. 6, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Christ child.

The 12 days of Christmas starts in December and continues until the Epiphany when in some Latin American countries the children also receive their gifts.

Los Posada
On Dec. 20 the community also came to St. Stephen's to celebrate Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration with origins in Spain, now celebrated chiefly in Mexico, Guatemala and portions of the Southwestern United States, beginning December 16 and ending Dec. 24.

The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and this tradition re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

The El Dia De Reyes celebration was held on Jan. 3 instead of the feast day of the Epiphany, because there is a Mass in Spanish at St. Stephen's on the first Saturday evening of each month.

Monsignor Bayani Valenzuela from the Church of St. John, the Evangelist, in Goshen, celebrated the Mass, which began with a procession of children in costumes who were dressed as Mary, carrying the baby Jesus, Joseph and the Three Wise Men.

Following the Mass, everyone assembled in the atrium for refreshments and breaking of the traditional "Rosca," a sweet bread.

Warwick resident Judy Battista, an advocate for the growing Latino community, explained that the Rosca is traditionally eaten during the celebration of "Día de Reyes."

Día de la Candelaria
A small figurine of the Christ child, hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus after learning of King Herod's order to murder all the children under two years old that could be the prophesied Messiah.

Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on Feb. 2, Candle Mass Day (Día de la Candelaria).

In the Mexican culture, this person also has to throw a party and provide tamales and atoles (hot drinks) for the guests.

"This community meets in each other's home for prayer meetings," said Battista. "Last month we also had the Mass of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. They are such a humble community and they want and need to practice their faith."

- Roger Gavan