By Ana Rodriguez Soto - Florida Catholic newspaper
Two parishioners read La Voz Catolica, the Spanish language newspaper of the archdiocese, while waiting for the festivities to begin.
Msgr. Pedro Garcia listens to confessions before Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski responds to questions from the news media before the Mass.
Decked out in her native Cuba's colors, Sister Cristina Menendez, of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, awaits the start of the Mass. Sister Cristina, formerly a teacher, now leads morning prayer at Mother of Christ Church in Miami.
Father Juan Carlos Paguaga, pastor of St. Agnes Church in Key Biscayne, leads the praying of the rosary before the start of the Mass.
A little boy dressed in a typical campesino outfit looks up at Sister Ileana Aponte, one of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.
The drum line from Belen Jesuit Prep in Miami gets the procession started.
The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who have worked at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity since its earliest days, process into the arena.
Members of religious congregations who work in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Claretian Sister Ondina Cortes, far left, processes into the arena with other members of religious communities.
Members of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, currently marking the 25th anniversary of their foundation, process into the arena.
The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who are marking the 25th anniversary of their foundation this year, wave at the crowd. Leading them are Sister Ana Margarita Lanzas, left, and the foundress, Mother Adela Galindo.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami helped provide the music before and during the Mass. The choir director is Andres Trujillo.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles carry the "cross of the encuentros" into the Bank United Center.
Students from Christopher Columbus High School process into the arena before the Mass.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the Bank United Center.
Students from a private school named for Our Lady of Charity process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the Bank United Center.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Representatives of the different "municipios", or cities and towns in Cuba, process into the Bank United Center before the start of the annual Mass for Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
A representative of St. John Bosco Parish in Miami processes into the arena.
Representatives of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Doral process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Men carrying flags from nearly all the nations of Latin America process into the Bank United Center before the start of the annual Mass for Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity. Since arriving in Miami, devotion to Our Lady of Charity has been adopted by other groups of immigrants and refugees who have resettled in South Florida.
Archdiocesan priests prepare to concelebrate the Mass, from left: Father Matias Hualpa, Father Julio De Jesus, Father Yamil Miranda and Father Javier Barreto.
Priests who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity process into the arena ahead of the image of Cuba's patroness; from left: Father Carlos Cespedes, parochial vicar; Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector; and Msgr. Pedro Garcia, in residence.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles, dressed as "mambises" - Cubans who fought for independence from Spain - carry the image of Our Lady of Charity around the Bank United Center as thousands of Mass-goers snap photos and wave handkerchiefs to welcome Cuba's patroness.
Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, prays before the image after it was placed atop a pedestal for the annual Mass on her feast day.
Image of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patroness, at the Bank United Center during the annual Mass on her feast day, Sept. 8. This is the image that was smuggled out of Cuba in 1961, a replica of the original one that is enshrined in El Cobre, Cuba.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles, dressed as "mambises" - Cubans who fought for independence from Spain - stand guard around the image of Our Lady of Charity after placing her on a pedestal atop the sanctuary before the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski processes to the altar to begin the Mass.
Archdiocesan priests take part in the Mass.
Concelebrating the Mass, from left: Bishop Emeritus Lorenzo Leon of Huacho, Peru, Bishop Emeritus Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colorado, and Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino.
Father Rolando Cabrera, administrator of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami, preaches the homily at the 2015 Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Charity.
View of the crowd of almost 5,000 who nearly filled the Bank United Center on the campus of the University of Miami for the annual celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba.
Daugthers of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, take up prayer petitions during the offertory.
The Cervantes family with their son Juan Pablo, representing the younger generation of members of the Archdiocesan Guild of Our Lady of Charity, take up a medal given to veterans of the Cuban war of independence.
Massgoers pray during Communion.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates the Mass. Next to him are, at left, Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino and, at right, Bishop Emeritus Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colorado.
A woman prays during the Mass.
Two women wearing Our Lady of Charity scarves pray during the Mass.
Gloria Rosello, left, of St. Kevin Parish, and Ana Toirac of St. Thomas the Apostle, pray the Our Father during the Mass.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino blesses a child after giving Communion to his father.
Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, holds up a copy of the biography of Bishop Agustin Roman which is for sale at the shrine. Written by journalist Daniel Shoer, it was authorized by Bishop Roman himself shortly before his death in 2012.
Saying the Cuban reality is "very tangled up" right now, Archbishop Thomas Wenski urges those who attended the Mass to pray the novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, a favorite of Pope Francis, in preparation for his visit to the island.
Marite Alfonso and Rogelio Zelada pray the daily prayer of the novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
Saul Flores of St. John Bosco Parish waves a yellow handkerchief in honor of Our Lady of Charity at the conclusion of the Mass.
Seminarians wave white handkerchiefs in salute to Our Lady of Charity at the end of the Mass. The group included men studying for the priesthood at both St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach.
Image of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patroness, at the Bank United Center during the annual Mass on her feast day, Sept. 8. This is the image that was smuggled out of Cuba in 1961, a replica of the original one that is enshrined in El Cobre, Cuba.
Msgr. Pedro Garcia listens to confessions before Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski responds to questions from the news media before the Mass.
Decked out in her native Cuba's colors, Sister Cristina Menendez, of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, awaits the start of the Mass. Sister Cristina, formerly a teacher, now leads morning prayer at Mother of Christ Church in Miami.
Father Juan Carlos Paguaga, pastor of St. Agnes Church in Key Biscayne, leads the praying of the rosary before the start of the Mass.
A little boy dressed in a typical campesino outfit looks up at Sister Ileana Aponte, one of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.
The drum line from Belen Jesuit Prep in Miami gets the procession started.
The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who have worked at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity since its earliest days, process into the arena.
Members of religious congregations who work in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Claretian Sister Ondina Cortes, far left, processes into the arena with other members of religious communities.
Members of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, currently marking the 25th anniversary of their foundation, process into the arena.
The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who are marking the 25th anniversary of their foundation this year, wave at the crowd. Leading them are Sister Ana Margarita Lanzas, left, and the foundress, Mother Adela Galindo.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from Sts. Peter and Paul School in Miami helped provide the music before and during the Mass. The choir director is Andres Trujillo.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles carry the "cross of the encuentros" into the Bank United Center.
Students from Christopher Columbus High School process into the arena before the Mass.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the Bank United Center.
Students from a private school named for Our Lady of Charity process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the Bank United Center.
Students from archdiocesan schools process into the arena.
Representatives of the different "municipios", or cities and towns in Cuba, process into the Bank United Center before the start of the annual Mass for Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
A representative of St. John Bosco Parish in Miami processes into the arena.
Representatives of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Doral process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Representatives of lay groups and movements active in the archdiocese process into the arena.
Men carrying flags from nearly all the nations of Latin America process into the Bank United Center before the start of the annual Mass for Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity. Since arriving in Miami, devotion to Our Lady of Charity has been adopted by other groups of immigrants and refugees who have resettled in South Florida.
Archdiocesan priests prepare to concelebrate the Mass, from left: Father Matias Hualpa, Father Julio De Jesus, Father Yamil Miranda and Father Javier Barreto.
Priests who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity process into the arena ahead of the image of Cuba's patroness; from left: Father Carlos Cespedes, parochial vicar; Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector; and Msgr. Pedro Garcia, in residence.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles, dressed as "mambises" - Cubans who fought for independence from Spain - carry the image of Our Lady of Charity around the Bank United Center as thousands of Mass-goers snap photos and wave handkerchiefs to welcome Cuba's patroness.
Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, prays before the image after it was placed atop a pedestal for the annual Mass on her feast day.
Image of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patroness, at the Bank United Center during the annual Mass on her feast day, Sept. 8. This is the image that was smuggled out of Cuba in 1961, a replica of the original one that is enshrined in El Cobre, Cuba.
Members of Encuentros Juveniles, dressed as "mambises" - Cubans who fought for independence from Spain - stand guard around the image of Our Lady of Charity after placing her on a pedestal atop the sanctuary before the Mass.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski processes to the altar to begin the Mass.
Archdiocesan priests take part in the Mass.
Concelebrating the Mass, from left: Bishop Emeritus Lorenzo Leon of Huacho, Peru, Bishop Emeritus Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colorado, and Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino.
Father Rolando Cabrera, administrator of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami, preaches the homily at the 2015 Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Charity.
View of the crowd of almost 5,000 who nearly filled the Bank United Center on the campus of the University of Miami for the annual celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba.
Daugthers of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, take up prayer petitions during the offertory.
The Cervantes family with their son Juan Pablo, representing the younger generation of members of the Archdiocesan Guild of Our Lady of Charity, take up a medal given to veterans of the Cuban war of independence.
Massgoers pray during Communion.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrates the Mass. Next to him are, at left, Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino and, at right, Bishop Emeritus Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colorado.
A woman prays during the Mass.
Two women wearing Our Lady of Charity scarves pray during the Mass.
Gloria Rosello, left, of St. Kevin Parish, and Ana Toirac of St. Thomas the Apostle, pray the Our Father during the Mass.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino blesses a child after giving Communion to his father.
Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, holds up a copy of the biography of Bishop Agustin Roman which is for sale at the shrine. Written by journalist Daniel Shoer, it was authorized by Bishop Roman himself shortly before his death in 2012.
Saying the Cuban reality is "very tangled up" right now, Archbishop Thomas Wenski urges those who attended the Mass to pray the novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, a favorite of Pope Francis, in preparation for his visit to the island.
Marite Alfonso and Rogelio Zelada pray the daily prayer of the novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
Saul Flores of St. John Bosco Parish waves a yellow handkerchief in honor of Our Lady of Charity at the conclusion of the Mass.
Seminarians wave white handkerchiefs in salute to Our Lady of Charity at the end of the Mass. The group included men studying for the priesthood at both St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach.
Image of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patroness, at the Bank United Center during the annual Mass on her feast day, Sept. 8. This is the image that was smuggled out of Cuba in 1961, a replica of the original one that is enshrined in El Cobre, Cuba.
Photography: A.R. Soto and C. Cabrera Jarro
MIAMI | A crowd of almost 5,000 nearly filled the Bank United Center on the campus of the University of Miami for the annual celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski celebrated the Mass accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino, Bishop Emeritus Fernando Isern of Pueblo, Colorado, Bishop Emeritus Lorenzo Leon of Huacho, Peru, and dozens of archdiocesan priests.
Father Rolando Cabrera, administrator of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Miami, preached the homily this year.
Enjoy the photo album!
