The Parish of Our Lady of Charity in Sancti Spíritus, regarded as the first temple built in honor of the Patroness of Cuba outside of Santiago de Cuba, will celebrate its 300 years of history with a Jubilee Year that will begin on August 30 and last until September 2027.
The parish priest Yoan Ernesto Bonet Espino announced this Sunday the celebration through a letter addressed to the faithful of Sancti Spíritus, under the motto "300 years of Charity: Faith that illuminates and Hope that endures."
"I am writing to you with great joy to announce and invite you to celebrate with a true spirit of faith and hope the three hundred years of our Parish of Our Lady of Charity in Sancti Spíritus," he expressed.
The Jubilee Year was granted by Monsignor Arturo González Amador, Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Clara and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba.
The history of the temple dates back to 1717, when the priest Silvestre Alonso Muñoz from the spirituano community began building a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Charity using his own resources. The construction was inaugurated for worship in 1727 and became the second religious building dedicated to the Virgin of Charity in Cuba, following the sanctuary of El Cobre.
In 1853, it was elevated to the status of a parish church and has been under the administration of the Discalced Carmelites since 1909.
"This celebration is not only a milestone in time but also a testament to centuries of faith, effort, and dedication of countless souls who came before us," emphasized Father Bonet.
The anniversary also coincides with the 110 years since the proclamation of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre as the Patroness of Cuba, declared as such in 1916 by Pope Benedict XV at the request of veterans of the Liberation Army.
The Jubilee Year will begin on Sunday, August 30, just a few days before the feast of Our Lady of Charity, celebrated every September 8, and will conclude on September 9, 2027.
"It will be a special time of grace, an opportunity to renew our faith, to give thanks for the blessings received, and to project our future with hope," affirmed the parish priest.
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