Our Lady
Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre
Title of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Feast September 8
Mary venerated as the patroness of Cuba under the title of Charity, from the image found floating in the Bay of Nipe and enshrined at El Cobre.
Origin
In the early seventeenth century two brothers and a boy were saved from a storm at sea and found a small statue of the Virgin bearing the Child Jesus, inscribed 'I am the Virgin of Charity'; her shrine at El Cobre became the heart of Cuban Catholic devotion.
Why it matters
Under this title Mary is honored as the Mother of Charity who protects her people and binds them together in faith and love.
Feast day
September 8