Traveling image of Cuba�s patroness reaches Miami

By Raul Leon Perez - La Voz Catolica

MIAMI | The unity of Cubans on the island with Cubans in the diaspora became palpable May 10 when an image given to Pope Francis during his recent visit to Santiago de Cuba arrived at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami.Its arrival coincided with the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Our Lady of Charity as patroness of the Cuban people — a title granted by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 at the request of the “ mambises” — Cuban independence fighters.

Its arrival coincided with the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Our Lady of Charity as patroness of the Cuban people — a title granted by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 at the request of the “ mambises” — Cuban independence fighters.During his visit to the island in September 2015, Pope Francis met with a delegation of Cuban families in the cathedral of Santiago de Cuba. One of those families gave him a replica of the image of Our Lady of Charity, asking him to take it to Cubans living outside the island as a symbol of love, reconciliation and forgiveness.

During his visit to the island in September 2015, Pope Francis met with a delegation of Cuban families in the cathedral of Santiago de Cuba. One of those families gave him a replica of the image of Our Lady of Charity, asking him to take it to Cubans living outside the island as a symbol of love, reconciliation and forgiveness.While in Philadelphia a few days later, the pope gave this image to the U.S. bishops. That same image was solemnly received at the shrine by Archbishop Thomas Wenski and its rector, Father Juan Rumín Domínguez, as well as priests, religious and hundreds of faithful gathered there.

While in Philadelphia a few days later, the pope gave this image to the U.S. bishops. That same image was solemnly received at the shrine by Archbishop Thomas Wenski and its rector, Father Juan Rumín Domínguez, as well as priests, religious and hundreds of faithful gathered there.

“This gesture of love from the Cuban family to families in the diaspora is completely inclusive,” Father Domínguez said, “because Our Lady of Charity, as co-patroness of the Archdiocese of Miami, has always wanted to shelter, under her mantle of love and mercy, all of us who live in this multicultural city. Our Lady of Charity is not only the mother of the Cuban people; she is everyone’s mother.”He added: “May this fraternal gesture reach the hearts of all the Cuban families that are scattered, like never before, around the world. May God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Charity, and despite the distances of all types that separate us, grant us the grace to accept the message brought by this symbol of faith and country: We are one in charity.”

He added: “May this fraternal gesture reach the hearts of all the Cuban families that are scattered, like never before, around the world. May God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Charity, and despite the distances of all types that separate us, grant us the grace to accept the message brought by this symbol of faith and country: We are one in charity.”Archbishop Wenski wishes to have the image go on

Archbishop Wenski wishes to have the image go on pilgrimage through all the U.S. cities and communities that have a large Cuban exile presence. In a sense, it will be an extension of the pilgrimage that Cuba’s patroness made throughout the island in preparation for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.At the same

At the same time the archbishop was celebrating Mass here at the shrine, the Cuban bishops were celebrating the Mass marking the 100th anniversary in the shrine at El Cobre.In his homily, Archbishop Wenski recalled that “this National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity opened its doors to all devotees of Our Lady; believers and faithful from all the nations of Hispanic America continue to come here daily to gratefully visit ‘cachita’ who extends her mantle to encompass us all.

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski recalled that “this National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity opened its doors to all devotees of Our Lady; believers and faithful from all the nations of Hispanic America continue to come here daily to gratefully visit ‘cachita’ who extends her mantle to encompass us all.“She continues to sustain the hope of the ‘balseros’ who still today confront the dangerous waters that separate them from their long-sought liberty. She wants to continue to encourage her children, wherever they may be, to walk in the ways that will lead them to Jesus, the true

“She continues to sustain the hope of the ‘balseros’ who still today confront the dangerous waters that separate them from their long-sought liberty. She wants to continue to encourage her children, wherever they may be, to walk in the ways that will lead them to Jesus, the true Messiah and the sole savior.”

The archbishop concluded his homily with a prayer to the co-patroness of the archdiocese:
“Holy Mary of Charity, listen to the people whom you once again visit tonight, and hasten for Cuba the hour of reconciliation in truth, accompanied by liberty and justice. Through the intercession of Mary, may Cubans know how to walk that narrow path between fear that gives way to evil, and violence that under the illusion of combating evil only worsens it. Our Lady of Charity, cover us with your mantle! Amen.”