Wearing robes and head coverings on a chilly December evening on Capitol Hill, young people dressed as Joseph and Mary made their way from St. Joseph's to St. Peter's Church a short walk away. A crowd of people singing Christmas songs trailed closely behind.

The procession, called Las Posadas, is a long-standing Advent tradition hailing from Mexico that is also celebrated in parts of Latin America and the United States. The nine-day celebration includes a reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter, and often incorporates special Masses, Christmas hymns, traditional food, and the breaking of a piñata.

The Dec. 17 event, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., began with a Mass at St. Joseph's celebrated by Bishop Mario Dorsonville. The Mass was concelebrated by Father William Gurnee, pastor of St. Joseph's.

The group paused for prayer and reflection as they approached the Supreme Court, before reaching their destination at St. Peter's.