Three Cuban bishops met this Saturday to dedicate a time of prayer for the people and the Church of Cuba in front of the image of the Virgin of Charity, located in the Gardens of the Vatican.
Mons. Emilio Aranguren Echeverría, Mons. Arturo González Amador, and Mons. Juan de Dios Hernández led the prayers at the feet of the Patroness of Cuba, a symbol of hope for millions of Cubans, as reported on Facebook by the Diocese of Santa Clara.
The revered image is a bronze replica of the one that was located until 1961 on the shores of Nipe Bay, the place where the Virgin of Charity is believed to have been found.
In 2014, this copy was enshrined in the Vatican Gardens, specifically on Pío XI Avenue, near the San Juan Tower, during a solemn ceremony attended by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba.
Since then, this place has become a site of pilgrimage for many devotees, not only from Cuba but from other countries as well, as it houses monuments and images of the Virgin, the patroness of various nations.
Previously, the Cuban bishops met with His Holiness Pope Francis in the city of Rome, Italy.
The Pope reminded during the meeting, which lasted more than half an hour, that the ninth anniversary of his visit to Cuba is approaching, which took place from September 19 to 22, 2015, coinciding with the Year of Mercy.
In addition, it was noted that the tenth anniversary will coincide with the Jubilee Year in 2025, according to the cited source.
As is customary, His Holiness requested prayers for himself and, through the prelates, sent his greetings to the Cuban people.
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