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Hundreds of people participated this Sunday in the celebration of Palm Sunday at the National Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, in Santiago de Cuba, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country.
According to the official page of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba on Facebook, most of the attendees were local parishioners, although there was also a significant presence of pilgrims, including members of the Granma province baseball team, who visited the temple to participate in the traditional liturgy that marks the beginning of Holy Week.
The day began with the blessing of the branches and a procession around the sanctuary, followed by the Eucharistic celebration inside the basilica.
The images shared by the Archdiocese show the faithful gathered in prayer, many of them holding palms, expressing their devotion to the Virgin of Charity, the patroness of Cuba.
This celebration marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum and reflects the deep popular religiosity that remains alive in eastern Cuba, despite the difficulties many communities face in expressing their faith publicly.
The Sanctuary of El Cobre, in addition to being a place of worship, is a symbol of unity and hope for millions of Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Meanwhile, amidst the solemnity of Palm Sunday, a group of young people was seen dancing to urban music of the "reparto" genre in front of the Sanctuary, sparking a wave of outrage among believers and defenders of religious freedom.
In a video shared on social media, several young people are seen making provocative moves to the beat of popular dance music, while another person records them with a mobile phone.
While in Santiago de Cuba the Palm Sunday was celebrated normally, in the capital of the country the regime again censored, for the second consecutive year, the holding of the Solemn Via Crucis, a Christian procession that was scheduled for this Sunday in Vedado, with a planned route from Línea to Letrán.
Frequently Asked Questions about Palm Sunday at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre and the Religious Situation in Cuba
How was Palm Sunday celebrated at the Sanctuary of El Cobre?
Hundreds of faithful attended the celebration of Palm Sunday at the National Sanctuary Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba, where the traditional liturgy marking the beginning of Holy Week took place. The day included the blessing of the palms, a procession, and an Eucharistic celebration.
What incident sparked outrage during Palm Sunday at the Sanctuary of El Cobre?
During the solemnity of Palm Sunday, a group of young people was seen dancing to urban music of the "reparto" genre in front of the Sanctuary, causing a wave of outrage among believers and defenders of religious freedom, who viewed the act as a disrespect to a sacred space.
Why was the Stations of the Cross on Palm Sunday censored in Havana?
The Cuban regime has censored for the second consecutive year the Solemn Stations of the Cross on Palm Sunday in Havana, citing a lack of approval from the authorities. This censorship has been criticized as a restriction on public expressions of faith on the island.
What does the Sanctuary of El Cobre symbolize for Cubans?
The Sanctuary of the Cobre is a symbol of unity and hope for millions of Cubans both on and off the island. It is a place of worship and pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin of Charity, the patroness of Cuba, where the faithful express their devotion and faith.
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