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December 19, 2021Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger traveled to Nogales, Mexico for the Bi-National Migrant Posada coordinated by Kino Border Initative (KBI) on Saturday, December 18, 2021. The Dioceses of Tucson, Phoenix, and Nogales gathered in solidarity with migrants to "make manifest the world we want to see - one that is defined more by unity than by borders," said KBI. Bishop José Leopoldo Gonzalez Gonzalez of the Diocese of Nogales joined Bishop Weisenburger at the Posada.
Photo Credit: KBI
A Posada is a traditional Latin American custom that takes the form of an extended devotional prayer with re-enactments of Mary and Joseph's search for a place to give birth to Jesus. They are repeatedly turned away from each place they seek refuge. The journey of Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem, as well as their flight to Egypt, relates to the stories of all migrants seeking refuge today.
The Bi-National Migrant Posada included testimonies from migrants who are currently seeking aslyum as well as appeals to create change. Prayers, scripture readings, and songs were also incorporated into the event at each stop, where they were symbolically rejected just as Mary and Joseph were. Finally, the Posada procession arrived at Kino Border Initiative where they were welcomed as brothers and sisters in need.
