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A general blackout in eastern Cuba, one hour before the start, forced the cancellation of the traditional youth pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Cobre, planned in honor of the patron saint.
It takes place from the San Francisco de Asís Church, in Santiago de Cuba, to the Sanctuary of El Cobre, on the eve of the Day of Our Lady of Charity.
According to a report by the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba in a post on its official Facebook page, the cancellation was due to an electrical system failure that left provinces such as Las Tunas, Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo without service, just one hour before the pilgrimage was set to begin.
"We place at the feet of our Mother Mary of Charity the difficult moments our Homeland is going through," stated the archdiocese in the announcement, accompanied by an image of the Virgin.
Every year, thousands of young people travel the miles by night that separate the Church of San Francisco from the sanctuary of El Cobre, as an expression of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to the patroness of Cuba.
The walk is usually carried out in an atmosphere of joy, prayer, and songs, which this year was silenced by the sudden interruption of electrical service, a symbolic and poetic reflection that the economic crisis even affects the practice of religious faith in Cuba.
This Monday, the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba also announced, through its official page on Facebook, a change in the time for the traditional procession of the image of Our Lady of Charity, which will take place on September 8th at 5:00 p.m.
The route will start, as every year, from the Archdiocese, continue along the streets Paraíso, Aguilera, and Santo Tomás, and conclude at the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba.
The call to the congregation was clear: “Come walk with us, Santa María, come!”
For his part, Mons. Dionisio García Ibáñez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, recalled this Sunday that the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre has been a symbol of unity and comfort in the most tragic moments of the nation's history.
Frequently Asked Questions about the cancellation of the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre
Why was the youth pilgrimage to the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre canceled?
The youth pilgrimage was canceled due to a massive blackout in eastern Cuba. This blackout affected several provinces, including Santiago de Cuba, just one hour before the event was set to begin, making it impossible to hold the traditional night walk.
What is the significance of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre for Cubans?
The Virgin of Charity of Copper is the Patroness of Cuba and a symbol of identity, hope, and unity for Cubans. From the wars of independence to the present day, her image has been a spiritual and cultural beacon, revered both on the island and abroad.
How does the economic and energy crisis affect religious celebrations in Cuba?
The economic and energy crisis in Cuba is even affecting the practice of religious faith. An example of this is the cancellation of the pilgrimage due to power outages, reflecting how material shortages impact the country's traditions and religious events.
What other activities will be held in honor of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre?
The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba has scheduled a procession for the image of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre. This procession will take place on September 8th at 5:00 p.m., starting from the Archdiocese and concluding at the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba, inviting the congregation to participate actively.
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