More Information on Barreras From San D
After researching further my grandfather, Anastacio Barrera, parents were Josefa and Jose Barrera.My great father Jose Barrera died in 1922 leaving behind my grandfather, five other brothers and one sister.Josefa Saenz Barrera, known as Tia Josefa was a midwife who had delivered several babies.She was also a faith healer, or curandera, who used herbs and prayers to heal.She treated folk diseases such as the stomach illness known as empacho, or indegestion.Her specialty, though, was treating baby illnesses such as colic, fever, and mollera caida.She lived close to a ranch that was later named Santo Niño, about 15 miles south of San Diego.
The following story is about the Posadas at a ranch in Duval County in the early 1900s. Before 1910 it was common to celebrate Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem. The event has remained engraved in the minds of the children and adults of the whole community because of the manner and devotion the family attached to the ritual.
The Posadas were celebrated at night on December 24. For many days before the 24th, all the surrounding families prepared for this event. Some nieces, including Lupe, Andreita, and Petra, helped by writing copies of all the songs, called cantos; hymns, called himnos; and prayers, called alabanzas, so all the people could participate.
Two brothers, Anastacio and Amado Sáenz, and their families killed a hog to make tamales and a pastry called turcos. Turcos were made of pie dough filled with ground pork meat, raisins, and nuts. Other neighboring families baked sweet bread called pan dulce, cakes and cookies, and pastries that were served with coffee or hot chocolate after the supper. Tía Josefa had two large rooms that she cleared for this ritual. She also provided benches and chairs to seat everyone. The rooms filled with women and children most of the time, while the men stayed outside. Then Tía Josefa began reciting a rosary. At the end of each stanza of rosary prayers, a firecracker known as a Roman candle was lit by Fabricio, Tía Josefa's son. These firecrackers hurled seven balls of fire in different colors. Her brother, Anastacio, bought the firecrackers. When the rosary ended, the people recited prayers and placed the crib and the Baby Jesus in the center of the room for the adoration.
Tía Josefa passed away on July 18, 1958. No one remained to carry on these traditional Posadas. It is unfortunate that this beautiful devotion that served as religious instruction for many people ended. In all the years these Posadas were held in her home, there was never an accident, fight, or argument among the people attending.