Sep 1, 2022
Back to Galleries
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity takes a conical shape, emulating Mary's spreading mantle.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity takes a conical shape, emulating Mary's spreading mantle.
Tiled rendering of Our Lady of Charity greets visitors inside the front doors of the shrine.
A mural of famous Church and Cuban leaders towers above the altar.
Centerpiece of the shrine is the replica of Our Lady's statuette, smuggled out of Cuba in 1961. A Cuban flag has been pinned to her mantle.
Above the statuette is a larger rendering of Mary with the Christ Child.
Mary stands seaside in a full-width window in the small chapel. Flanking her are typical Marian symbols: a fiery heart for her spiritual zeal, and a white lily for her purity.
Also in the chapel are two windows with a chalice, wheat and grapes, the elements of the Eucharist.
Also in the chapel are two windows with a chalice, wheat and grapes, the elements of the Eucharist.
Around the crown of the roof are slitted windows on the life of Mary. In the first window, Gabriel announces that she has been selected to bear the Son of God.
Mary visits Elizabeth with the good news.
The Bethlehem star shines onto the Nativity.
Simeon blesses the Christ Child at the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Holy Family flees to Egypt.
Mary applauds Jesus' first miracle, turning water to wine.
Mary weeps as Jesus dies.
Mary celebrates Pentecost, as tongues of fire descend.
Mary soars into heaven in her Assumption.
Mary is crowned queen of heaven.
Life-size statue of the late Bishop Agustin Roman, founder of the shrine, gazes toward Biscayne Bay.
Bishop Roman, himself a Cuban refugee, spearheaded the fundraising campaign to build the shrine. He then served there until his death in 2012.
Bishop Roman is also honored in a tiled portrait.
St. Pope John Paul II is the subject of another tiled portrait. He crowned Our Lady patron saint of Cuba in 1998.
St. Antonio Maria Claret, the 19th century archbishop of Cuba, gestures toward Our Lady of Charity.
Even a holy water font recalls the story on how the statuette of Our Lady of Charity was discovered.
A solemn stone image of Our Lady stands outside the north wall of the shrine.
Devotees lay sunflowers at the statuette's feet. Yellow is associated with Our Lady of Charity.
On the grounds outside the shrine, the sculpture "Virgen La Caridad" takes a more abstract view of Our Lady's statuette.
At the shrine's gift shop, the statuette is available in a broad variety of styles and colors.
Some visitors also pay respects at an image of St. Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected. Many Cubans have a special devotion to him.
Tiled rendering of Our Lady of Charity greets visitors inside the front doors of the shrine.
A mural of famous Church and Cuban leaders towers above the altar.
Centerpiece of the shrine is the replica of Our Lady's statuette, smuggled out of Cuba in 1961. A Cuban flag has been pinned to her mantle.
Above the statuette is a larger rendering of Mary with the Christ Child.
Mary stands seaside in a full-width window in the small chapel. Flanking her are typical Marian symbols: a fiery heart for her spiritual zeal, and a white lily for her purity.
Also in the chapel are two windows with a chalice, wheat and grapes, the elements of the Eucharist.
Also in the chapel are two windows with a chalice, wheat and grapes, the elements of the Eucharist.
Around the crown of the roof are slitted windows on the life of Mary. In the first window, Gabriel announces that she has been selected to bear the Son of God.
Mary visits Elizabeth with the good news.
The Bethlehem star shines onto the Nativity.
Simeon blesses the Christ Child at the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Holy Family flees to Egypt.
Mary applauds Jesus' first miracle, turning water to wine.
Mary weeps as Jesus dies.
Mary celebrates Pentecost, as tongues of fire descend.
Mary soars into heaven in her Assumption.
Mary is crowned queen of heaven.
Life-size statue of the late Bishop Agustin Roman, founder of the shrine, gazes toward Biscayne Bay.
Bishop Roman, himself a Cuban refugee, spearheaded the fundraising campaign to build the shrine. He then served there until his death in 2012.
Bishop Roman is also honored in a tiled portrait.
St. Pope John Paul II is the subject of another tiled portrait. He crowned Our Lady patron saint of Cuba in 1998.
St. Antonio Maria Claret, the 19th century archbishop of Cuba, gestures toward Our Lady of Charity.
Even a holy water font recalls the story on how the statuette of Our Lady of Charity was discovered.
A solemn stone image of Our Lady stands outside the north wall of the shrine.
Devotees lay sunflowers at the statuette's feet. Yellow is associated with Our Lady of Charity.
On the grounds outside the shrine, the sculpture "Virgen La Caridad" takes a more abstract view of Our Lady's statuette.
At the shrine's gift shop, the statuette is available in a broad variety of styles and colors.
Some visitors also pay respects at an image of St. Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected. Many Cubans have a special devotion to him.
Photography: JIM DAVIS | FC
