Santuario en El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba ( Marti Noticias )
Today is the Feast Day for Cachita, Our Lady of Charity. In Santiago de Cuba, Cubans carrying sunflowers paid homage to the Virgin of Charity asking for “health and faith.”
For the past four hundred and fourteen years, since the Virgin of Charity appeared to the three Juanes in the Bay of Nipe in 1612, She has been a source of popular devotion among Cubans and on May 10, 1916 forever linked with Cuban independence and freedom when Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Her Patroness of Cuba in response to a request by veterans of the Cuban war of independence. Since then She has also been known as the Virgin Mambisa.
Today in Cuba.
The heart of the celebration today is held in the National Sanctuary and Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, located in the town of El Cobre, about 20 kilometers from Santiago de Cuba. Thousands of pilgrims have been arriving at the site to honor “Cachita.” The church has remained open continuously from 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 7th until midnight tonight on Tuesday the 8th.
The program includes a midnight Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba; another Mass at 9:30 a.m., also officiated by the prelate; a parish Mass at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday; and a concert of Marian music at 9:00 p.m. featuring the Orfeón Santiago and Vox Lucis choirs, according to announcements made by the sanctuary on its social media channels.
In the city of Santiago de Cuba, a procession is taking place at 5:00 p.m., traveling from the Archbishop’s residence to the Cathedral under the theme “Charity Unites Us.” The sanctuary was recently restored following damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. One hundred volunteers, primarily from the Emmaus Brotherhood, are assisting the faithful.
65 years ago today the image of the Virgin of Charity that presides over the National Shrine on the shores of Biscayne Bay arrived in Miami for the first celebration in her honor. On September 8, 1961 Luis Gutiérrez Areces, then 24, arrived in exile with the replica of the Patron Saint of Cuba hidden in a suitcase.
On Monday the 7th, the faithful gathered early at the *Ermita* (Shrine) esplanade. An artistic vigil took place, featuring Cuban singers and mariachis who sang *Las Mañanitas* at midnight.
Today in Miami
Today at the Miami-Dade Fair & Expo Center (10901 SW 24 St.) the doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the program begins shortly thereafter with a “Prayer for Cuba with the Virgin” at the Cuban Memorial. The Procession of the Apostolic Movements of the Archdiocese of Miami arrives at 7:00 p.m., followed half an hour later by the entrance of the Virgin’s image. Solemn Mass is scheduled for 8:00 p.m., presided over by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. You can watch it online here.
Mass for Cachita in Miami (2011). Photo by John Suarez.
During the day, the image remains on display at the *Ermita* esplanade until 5:00 p.m., when it is moved to the fairgrounds. The full program of events in South Florida is reproduced below.
In both Cuba and Miami, the celebrations combine Masses, processions, music, yellow flowers, and prayers for families, health, and the situation on the island. Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre remains a symbol of unity, hope, and Cuban identity that unites generations, regardless of where they may be.
Cuba’s Christian Liberation Movement marks 38 years since its founding.
Today also marks 39 years since Oswaldo Payá, Ramón Antúnez, Dagoberto Capote, Santiago Cárdenas and Fernando Avedo founded the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) in Havana, Cuba on September 8, 1988 to work for the democratization of Cuba, restore human rights for all Cubans and for national reconciliation between Cubans following decades of a divisive dictatorship. The Center has translated the statement MCL released today in English, and shares it below.
38th Anniversary of the Christian Liberation Movement
On this September 8th, marking 38 years since the founding of the Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) by Oswaldo Payá and a group of Cubans committed to freedom, we reaffirm our fidelity to the principles that gave rise to our Movement: human dignity, freedom, reconciliation, and popular sovereignty.
Cuba is undergoing a profound economic, social, and political crisis, while the absence of fundamental freedoms, repression, and the imprisonment of Cubans for exercising their inherent rights persist.
Faced with this reality, we reaffirm that the solution for Cuba must lie in the hands of the Cuban people.
Any pressure, initiative, or action by the international community regarding Cuba must aim to help restore sovereignty to its rightful holder—the Cuban people—and never to supplant their will or make decisions on their behalf.
We demand the recognition and full exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as the opening of a democratic process leading to free, pluralistic, and transparent elections, so that Cubans themselves may choose their leaders and sovereignly decide the political, economic, and social system in which they wish to live.
To our members and supporters on the Island who have kept the flame alive while under siege: you are the heart of the MCL. To those in exile: Cuba needs you, your experience, and your undiminished love. To the young people who were not present at the founding: this is your home too; this struggle belongs to you.
Thirty-eight years later, our aspiration remains intact: freedom, justice, reconciliation, popular sovereignty, and a Cuba belonging to all and for the benefit of all.
All Cubans, all brothers, and now—freedom!
Freedom and Life!
Tony Diaz, Secretary General
Minervo Chil, Executive Secretariat
Eduardo Cardet, National Coordinator
Eliecer Porto, Coordinating Council
Ramón Antunez, Founder
Yadelis Melchor, Executive Secretariat
Santiago Cárdenas, Founder
Carlos Paya, Executive Secretariat
Jose Miguel Martinez, Coordinating Council
Michel Céspedes, Executive Secretariat
Fernando Avedo, Founder
Iran Almaguer, Coordinating Council
Ernesto Martini, Coordinating Council
Manuel Robles, Executive Secretariat
Osmel Rodriguez, Executive Secretariat
Rosa Rodriguez, Coordinating Council
Jesús Mustafa, Executive Secretariat
Dagoberto Capote, Founder
Ariel Colmenero, Coordinating Council
Regis Iglesias, Spokesperson
Christian Liberation Movement
September 8, 2026
Celebration of the Virgin of Charity, Mother of the Cuban people.
From the Archives
2002 documentary by Loki Films on Oswaldo Payá, the Varela Project, and the Christian Liberation Movement.