📚 Our Lady of Charity (Caridad del Cobre)
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Our Lady of Charity Our Lady of Charity , also known as Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre , is a beloved Marian title honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as a symbol of love, protection, and unity. The devotion began in Cuba in the early 17th century when three men—two Indigenous brothers and an enslaved boy—found a statue of Mary floating on the Bay of Nipe after a storm, inscribed with the words “I am the Virgin of Charity.” The image was enshrined in El Cobre, where it became a powerful sign of hope and faith for the Cuban people. Our Lady of Charity is celebrated as the patroness of Cuba and is revered for her intercession, compassion, and maternal care for all who seek her help. Apparition: Early 1600s | Feast Day: September 8 | Canonized: Title approved by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 Patronage: Cuba, the poor, and those seeking love, hope, and unity.