SAN JOSE

One family tradition which my family in my mother’s side practices is San Jose. It is really the Feast of the Holy Family but we just call it San Jose. We usually hold it during summer. This is because during the month of the Feast of the Holy Spirit, most of us are busy with school and work. My great grandmother, Lola Pilar, was the one who moved the event to summer. In this event, two grandchildren are chosen to play Mary, and Jesus, while an elder and needy man is chosen to play Joseph. Such qualifications are followed in choosing the one to play Joseph because in the end, the ones who play Mary, Joseph, and Jesus get to earn money. So we want to be able to help the one playing Joseph. The event starts with a long prayer, usually led by our grandmothers. Then, the Holy Family enters and is made to sit at a table. This happens while women, usually our Lolas, sing Spanish songs. Then, people serve food in the table where the Holy Family is seated. 2 male family members are chosen to feed Joseph and Jesus, while a female family member is chosen to feed Mary. After eating, the people go to the table and kiss the hand of the Holy Family, while doing so, they may drop money into the basket in the middle of the table. In the end, the money received or the proceeds are being given to the ones who played, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Every year, each family in our clan takes turns in taking care of the whole affair and hosting the event. The benefits we get from this tradition is that our devotion to the Holy Family is strengthened. It is also a time where almost all of our family members are present. This event enables us to have deeper faith and be united in prayer.