Since December 16th, the Rincón de San Lázaro in Hialeah has been welcoming hundreds of Cuban faithful who arrived with promises, petitions, and expressions of gratitude.
The celebration of the Day of San Lázaro, one of the most significant dates for the Cuban community in exile, continues to unfold this December 17th with a strong sense of faith, emotion, and popular devotion.
This spiritual corner, located at 1190 E 4th Ave in Hialeah, along with the namesake church situated at 17390 SW 200th St in Miami, becomes a pilgrimage epicenter every December for those who venerate the so-called patron of the sick, the poor, and animals.
Vigil, prayer, and fulfilled promises
The journey began the night before.
This Tuesday, the temple opened its doors to welcome the first devotees who participated in a mass at 6:00 p.m. and another at 11:00 p.m., in an atmosphere of reflection and hope.
“It was a profound moment of reflection, where we lifted our supplications and thanks, trusting in the intercession of Saint Lazarus, protector of the sick and the needy”, they shared on the Facebook page known as Rincón de Hialeah.
The church remained open all night, allowing a steady flow of believers who came to fulfill promises, light candles, and pray.
Some arrived walking from long distances, barefoot or on their knees, as part of personal sacrifices offered to the saint.
Testimonies of Living Faith
José Alberto Leiva, one of the present devotees, shared his story with Telemundo 51 in an emotional voice.
"San Lázaro has granted me many things. Being able to travel from the northwest to here and crawl all the way from there to here, that shows me that faith is the last thing to be lost," he said.
He assures that he never felt alone on the journey, and that he does it as a way to express gratitude for a miracle he received
"I do it as a sacrifice, because he has already uplifted me a lot. At a time when I needed him greatly, he helped me, and I made him this promise, which is why I am fulfilling it."
Another believer recounted that, 61 years ago, she survived a serious accident thanks – according to her faith – to the intervention of Saint Lazarus:
"I was completely burned and I'm alive. I was burned on December 7th and came back to life on December 16th (...) Always by his side, alongside my mother, my mother in Cuba and I here."
In every corner of the temple, a story can be heard. For many, this celebration is not just a religious tradition, but a spiritual inheritance that connects many generations both inside and outside of Cuba.
"I want him with all my heart because my daughter is there, and I almost lost her, but I made a promise: as long as I live, I will go to San Lázaro on foot," said another devotee.
Main activities for this December 17th
Throughout the day, the activities continue with strong participation.
The church has remained open since the early hours, and a special Mass is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., one of the most anticipated moments for the faithful.
Later, at 8:00 p.m., the traditional procession in honor of the saint will take place around the sanctuary.
Both activities are regarded as high points of the day, filled with symbolism, emotion, and community unity.
Temple authorities have confirmed that the doors will remain open until midnight to accommodate those arriving after work hours or from other cities in South Florida.
The so-called Festival of San Lázaro will conclude tomorrow, Thursday the 18th, with a final closing mass at 5:00 p.m., bringing an end to a series of events that establish the Rincón de San Lázaro as an essential spiritual enclave for the Cuban exile community.
More than Religion: Identity and Resistance
Although for many San Lázaro is a religious figure—either as the Catholic saint or as Babalu-Ayé in Afro-Cuban santería—for others he is also a symbol of resistance, healing, and connection to roots.
Social media has once again served as a space to share testimonies, photos, and prayers. From Miami to Havana, and through cities with a strong Cuban presence, the messages reflect a faith that knows no borders.
"Whether I am sick or not, I have to come here to keep my promise," expressed a parishioner, with tears in her eyes and the conviction of someone who knows that tradition is also a form of love and memory.
In Hialeah, the celebration continues. The candles remain lit, the prayers are repeated, and the Rincón de San Lázaro once again transforms into an altar where the Cuban community reaffirms its faith and identity, under the compassionate gaze of the miraculous "Viejo."
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