The mass in honor of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre was held this year for the first time outside the facilities of the Ermita and took place this Saturday, September 7, at 8:00 p.m. in Milander Park in Hialeah, located at 4700 Palm Ave.
The ceremony was officiated by Monsignor Tomás Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, who led the event in front of hundreds of worshipers.
The doors of the venue opened at 5:00 p.m. to ensure an organized entrance, and the religious event began at 8:00 p.m.
Many faithful, mostly Cuban exiles, came fervently to pray for health, economic well-being, family unity, and also for the longed-for freedom for Cuba.
The priest Julio Fernández Travieso referred to the deep nostalgia that thousands of Cubans experience during the celebration of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.
"Those tears are of nostalgia, nostalgia that arises for the homeland that has been robbed from us, when I cannot step on and embrace the ground that saw me born. But when the physical homeland we love disappears, hearts become homeland, hearts become flag, hearts become white rose for the sincere friend who offers me his honest hand, and also, although it is hard, for the cruel one who tears out the heart with which I live," he said.
"Here we are, our lady and mother, Virgin of the Copper, with the homeland in our hearts and seeking hope. Cubans do not want a homeland that is agonizing, we do not want a homeland in darkness, we do not want a sad homeland anymore, we want homeland and dreams, homeland and joy, homeland and joy, homeland and life," he added, prompting applause from those present.
As every year, Cubans have paid tribute to their Patron Saint in a series of religious events that began more than a week ago and conclude on September 8th.
The festivities are set to close this Sunday with a grand celebration at the National Shrine of the Hermita de la Caridad, located at 3609 S Miami Ave.
From 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., thousands of Cubans and devotees of the Virgen Mambisa will come to pay tribute to their "Queen and Mother."
The love of Cubans living in the United States for the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre is unbreakable. For many, the Virgin is not only a religious figure but also a symbol of identity and cultural roots.
Despite the distance and the years away from their homeland, emigrated Cubans keep their devotion to the Virgen Mambisa alive, finding comfort and hope in her.
Every year, the celebrations in their honor become a space for unity and reaffirmation of their roots, where Cubans revive their faith and place their petitions.
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