Miami celebrates 60 years since the arrival of the Virgin of Charity from Cuba

Cubans in Miami are celebrating on this day the60 yearsof the arrival of the image Virgin of Charity to his city and his permanence with the people of exile.

The Facebook page ofCatholic Radio shared details of the story of the arrival of the image of the virgin to Miami 60 years ago. It came hidden in a suitcase, protected by Cubans who were escaping communism.

“This 2021 we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the arrival of theblessed image of the Virgin of Charity that is venerated in the Hermitage, which arrived from Cuba hidden in a suitcase precisely on September 8, 1961," said the Archdiocese of Miami in itswebsite.

History tells that the image that is venerated in theHermitage of Charity in Miami It is a replica of the original statue found in thetown of El Cobre, in Santiago de Cuba. Its original owner wasBishop Armando Jiménez Rebollar, died in 2008.

Jiménez narrated in an interview that after his priestly ordination, in 1947, he was appointed parish priest of Guanabo and Campo Florido. Upon arriving at that community he saw that an image of the Patron Saint was missing, theVirgin of Charity of Copper.

"Father Raúl Martínez of Santa María del Rosario introduced me to a sculptor from Luyanó who was affectionately called 'The Dwarf', who in just one month finished this beautiful image, in that same year of 1947, Jiménez said.

The Cuban guyhe had to leave the island in 1961 when the government intensified religious persecution, but upon arriving in Florida he felt that the devotees of the Virgin were hurt for not venerating an image of their Patron Saint.

“Feeling the pain of the exiled people who asked here in Miami to celebrate the Feast of the Virgin, I dreamed of bringing my beloved image,” said Jiménez. He had the support ofElvira Jované de Zayas, who at that time was Chargé d'Affaires of the Panamanian Embassy in Havana.

“In the first days of September of the year 1961, when I returned to Havana from a quick trip to Miami and Panama, I met the ambassadors of Italy, Marquises of Theodoli, Mr. Torivio Bravo, and another person, who They begged me to bring to Miami an image of the Virgencita de la Caridad del Cobre so that on the daySeptember 8th, the Cuban exiles had their party with their Virgin and Patroness,” Jované said in a letter.

The woman confessed that as a diplomat she could not leave the island without attracting attention and she was worried that her sudden departure from Cuba could set off alarm bells for the communist government. She asked the Virgin to help her get permission for someone to travel to the United States.

"Hefirst miracle of this Virgin It was up to me to ask him to obtain some safe passage before September 8, but for someone I trusted to whom I could deliver the image. And so it was, on the 6th they gave me two safe-conduct passes,” said Jované.

Days later he handed over the Cuban to the plane stepsLuis Gutierrez Areces, a suitcase with the image of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre and a package with wooden spokes and other accessories.

The representation ofMary, mother of God,arrived just in time for the first celebration in her honor at Miami Stadium, on September 8, 1961. There was at the presentation ceremony of the virginmore than 30 thousand Cuban exiles. The mass was celebrated in the presence of Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll and several priests.

After60 years accompanying Cubans In exile the Virgin of Charity continuesuniting his people. Some affectionately call her "Cachita" and she is no longer exclusive to Cubans because her mantle lovingly covers all those who fight for Freedom.

TheMiami Hermitagewill celebrate this September 8th aMass presided over by Archbishop Mons. Thomas Wenski. Devotees made a novena to the Virgin from August 30 to September 7. It concluded with an artistic vigil in which important Cuban personalities living in the United States participated.

The process of religious syncretism that occurred in Cuba made the Virgin of Charity of Cobre also recognized asOshún in the Yoruba Religion. She is the goddess of femininity, beauty, sensuality, sweetness and river waters.