Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Havana (Agenzia Fides) – The three-year preparation time for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of “Nuestra Señora de la Caridad” will be officially inaugurated at the National Shrine in Cobre (see 1/9/2008), on August 30. Hundreds of faithful from all over Cuba, along with those who came in from outside the country, came together for a Solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Dionisio Guillermo García Ibáñez of Santiago de Cuba and concelebrated by almost all Cuba’s Bishops. The weather reports had called for rain, and Hurricane Gustav was on its way to western Cuba and throughout the entire week, the country was on alert.
When the Mass was over, several symbolic and historical acts were held. Among them was the reading of a declaration made by Juan Moreno to authorities in 1687, in which he explains the miraculous discovery made by himself and another 2 indians of the image of Our Lady. There was also a presentation of the act signed on September 8, 1898 in El Cobre, in honor of the Mass celebrated upon Cuba’s independence, as well as a copy of the petition that the veterans of the War for Independence made to Pope Benedict XV in 1915, asking that he proclaim the Virgin of “la Caridad” Patroness of Cuba.
Archbishop Juan Garcia of Camagüey, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Cuba, officially opened the Triennium, the three-year preparation period, thus uniting Cuba to the Great Continental Mission.
Before the final blessing, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, the Apostolic Nuncio, conveyed Pope Benedict XVI closeness to the people and thanked all those who had helped in the celebration, announcing the possibility that for the first time a Mass may be televised in Cuba.
On September 8, the Church in Cuba will prepare for the celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora de La Caridad de El Cobre. Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, has sent a letter out to all faithful of the Archdiocese, to be read at the masses on the 8th , in regards to the destruction suffered from Hurricane Gustav last Saturday, which according to the media “has caused great destruction in the eastern part of the Province of Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud, where the damages were nearly categorized as catastrophic.” With this in mind, the Cardinal asks everyone “to one more, from their own poverty, extend a helping hand to these brothers of ours” and asks that a special collection be taken up in the churches and chapels on the island, both in the form of money and first aid materials to later be distributed by the various Diocesan Caritas to the families in need. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/9/2008)
