Religiion and Judeo-Christian values

The Virgin of La Caridad del Cobre: Symbol of Faith, Union and Cuban Culture

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Our Lady of Charity (Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre), affectionately known as "Cachita," is a central figure in Cuban faith and culture. Venerated by Cubans on the island and in the diaspora, this representation of the Virgin Mary has transcended its religious significance to become a symbol of national identity and hope.

The Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, affectionately known as ‘Cachita’ is a central figure in Cuban faith and culture that unites Cubans inseparably. Revered by Cubans on the island and in the diaspora, this representation of the Virgin Mary has transcended its religious significance to become a symbol of national identity and hope.

As is customary every year on September 8, thousands celebrate the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron saint of Cuba, at the Cobre shrines in Cuba, at the Ermita de la Caridad in Miami, and at many other parishes and places of worship, as many do at home.

It is worth noting that here in Miami:
‘Many thought this was a Cuban celebration, but it has become more and more international. People come here to this shrine because it is dedicated to the mother of Jesus, and the mother of Jesus is the mother of all,’ said Father Alberto Cutié, an Anglican-oriented priest.

The Apparition in Cuba

According to tradition, the image of Our Lady of Charity appeared in Nipe Bay in 1612. Three fishermen—two indigenous brothers named Rodrigo and Juan de Hoyos, and a young African slave named Juan Moreno—were in a small boat looking for salt when, in the midst of a storm, they saw an image of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child floating on the waters. The image was on a board that bore the inscription "I am the Virgin of Charity."  

 

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The National Shrine in El Cobre, Cuba

After its appearance, the image was taken to various locations until it was finally established in El Cobre, a mining town near Santiago de Cuba. In 1927, Our Lady of Charity was declared the patroness of Cuba by Pope Pius XI. The current shrine, known as the Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, was built in 1927 and is an important pilgrimage center.

The Ermita of Our Lady of Charity in Miami

In 1961, a group of Cuban exiles brought a replica of the image of Our Lady of Charity to Miami. In 1967, the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity was inaugurated in Miami, which has become an important spiritual and cultural center for the Cuban-American community. The central image in the Shrine is a faithful replica of the one venerated in the Cuban national shrine in El Cobre.

Papal Recognition of the Virgin of La Caridad del Cobre

The shrines dedicated to the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre have received papal visits and recognition, underlining their importance in the Catholic faith:

After the War of Independence, veterans petitioned the Pope to declare the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre as the patron saint of Cuba.

1. In 1916, Pope Benedict XV responded affirmatively to the request of the veterans, declaring the Virgin of La Caridad del Cobre as the patron saint of Cuba and setting her feast day on 8 September.
2. In 1936, Pope Pius XI canonically crowned the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre
3. In 1977, Pope Paul VI elevated the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre to the category of Basilica.
4. In 1998, Pope John Paul II crowned the Virgin of Charity as Queen and Patroness of Cuba during his apostolic visit to Santiago de Cuba.
5. In 2015, Pope Francis paid a visit to the National Shrine, where he offered a mass and crowned the image of the Virgin.

Other Names and Their Meaning

Our Lady of Charity is known by several names among Cubans, each with a special meaning:

1. "Cachita": An affectionate diminutive that reflects the closeness and affection that Cubans feel towards her.
2. "La Virgen Mambisa": This name associates her with the mambises, the guerrilla fighters who fought for Cuba's independence, symbolizing her role in Cuban national identity.
3. "The Virgin of the Rafters": This name emerged in the 1990s when many Cubans risked their lives on makeshift rafts to reach the United States. Many rafters carried images of the Virgin with them, asking for her protection during the dangerous journey.

Our Lady of Charity continues to be a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and Cuban identity, uniting Cubans on the island and in the diaspora in their devotion and in the preservation of their culture.

Historical Context and Cultural Significance

Spiritual traditions have played a crucial role in the formation of Cuban identity. It represents the cultural resistance, adaptation and creativity of the Cuban people in the face of historical oppression.

Devotion to the Virgin of Charity of Cobre transcends social divisions in Cuba, serving as a unifying symbol of Cubanness.

The prestige of the Virgin of Charity dates back to the copper workers who fought for their rights against the Spanish colonial government. This devotion extended to Creoles and Cubans, becoming a symbol of Cubanness until the time of the "mambises" struggle for Cuban independence.

Since 1731, the Virgin of Charity can also be found outside Cuba. She did not arrive in Florida in 1961, as is thought, but much earlier. In a letter found in 1738 in Georgia archives, an Indian from the St. Augustine area named Juan Ignacio is mentioned as having devotion to the Virgin of Charity. Later, in 1878, an altar was erected on Duval Street in Key West to serve the tobacco community.

The persistence and evolution of these practices, both in Cuba and in the diaspora, demonstrate the resilience of Cuban culture and its ability to keep its spiritual traditions alive despite historical and geographical challenges.

 

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