Our Lady of Charity, Patroness of Cuba
The devotion to Our Lady of Charity (Nuestra Senora de la Virgen de la Caridad), the patroness of Cuba, dates back to 1612, when three men – two local laborers and an African Cuban boy – were praying protection from a violent and relentless storm in the Bay of Nipe while on their small boat. As they were praying, they saw and recovered a small wooden statue of Mary floating in the water. Inscribed on the statue were the words, “I am the Virgin of Charity.”
The storm suddenly disappeared.
Mary became the symbol of hope and national identity for all of Cuba. Catholics from all around the world travel to Cuba’s Basilica of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba to honor this devotion with Mass, processions, prayers, music, dance, and traditional food as part of the religious rituals.
“Lift up your heart and do not succumb in the face of adversities, persevere in the way of good: tirelessly helping those oppressed by sorrows and afflictions,” Pope Francis wrote in a letter to Cubans. “These are the important lessons taught to us by Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, useful both for today and tomorrow.”
