By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

MIAMI, FL (August 15, 2025) — On Friday, August 22, 2025, the Archdiocese of Miami will unveil two symbolic sculptures set to honor migrants and refugees during a special ceremony at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (La Ermita), located at 3609 South Miami Avenue in Coconut Grove. The ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m., with Archbishop Thomas Wenski presiding over the blessing. 

Joining the Archbishop for this momentous occasion will be Timothy Schmalz, creator of the sculptures, and Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, whose family foundation generously donated the works to the Archdiocese. 

“The Shrine of Our Lady of Charity welcomes refugees and immigrants from Cuba and other nations, said Archdiocese of Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski. “Mary, Mother of the Church and of all nations, took refuge in Egypt with Joseph and the Christ Child when Herod wanted to kill him and so Mary’s “home” is a fitting place to remind ourselves that in welcoming the “stranger” we have entertained “angels unawares.”  

The two sculptures, titled Angels Unaware and Be Welcoming, were chosen to be installed at the Shrine as powerful tributes to the human dignity of migrants and refugees throughout history. Inspired by the biblical verse Hebrews 13:2 — "Be welcoming to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". 

Angels Unaware, a sculpture depicting a boat filled with migrants from different historical periods, was first introduced to South Florida in 2021, when a large installation was placed in Bayfront Park, near the Freedom Tower, a symbolic gateway for many Cuban exiles. 

Be Welcoming, another of Schmalz’s profound works, continues his mission of evangelization through art by calling attention to the universal Christian duty of hospitality and compassion.

This special event also serves as the official kickoff to the celebrations leading up to the Feast Day of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patroness of Cuba and a cherished figure of devotion throughout South Florida, set to begin the following day. A full list of those events and details can be found on the Shrine’s website. 

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About the Archdiocese of Miami: The Archdiocese of Miami is led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. It serves Catholics in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties, consisting of 109 parishes and missions, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, and is served by over 170 priests, 120 deacons, and 247 brothers and sisters. The archdiocese is also home to 65 schools, including 14 secondary schools (four of which are operated by religious orders), and the only AdvancEd/SACS accredited virtual Catholic school in the U.S. The archdiocese also sponsors St. Thomas University. Mass is celebrated daily and available in a dozen languages.  

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