Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

On September 7, 2024, Ramón Hernandez proudly carried the American flag in the opening procession of the Mass for the Virgin of Charity, patroness of Cuba, held at St. Augustine Parish in Casselberry. The American flag recognized the country whose charity opened its arms to him, his family, and countrymen.

The Mass is something he participated in with his wife, Teresita, before she entered into eternal life. The couple helped start the annual tradition in 1968.

Father Tomás Hurtado, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Casselberry and a Cuban immigrant from Santa Clara, expressed his sentiments: “As a Cuban, celebrating Our Lady of Charity is not only an honor but a joy,” he said. “There we gather all those who have come in exile. There we unite to remember and to celebrate that charity unites us and, in the love of Christ we are one people.”

The image of the Virgin of Charity was found more than 400 years ago, in 1612, floating in the Bay of Nipe on the northeastern coast of Cuba. It is said it was discovered after three men endured a storm praying to the Virgin Mary for protection. Shortly after the water calmed, the statue of the Virgin was found dry and floating on the water.

During Cuba's wars for independence, being a devotee of the Virgin of Charity was considered synonymous with supporting insurrection. At the request of veterans from these wars, Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Our Lady of Charity as Patroness of Cuba on May 10, 1916.

Hernandez recalls standing in Plaza Cívica in Havana with thousands honoring La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity) in 1959 alongside his then-girlfriend Teresita.

Hernandez and Teresita married and moved to the United States in 1965 where they quickly integrated into Orlando’s small Cuban community. Father Fabian Gimeno from St. James Cathedral encouraged Hernandez to form a group following their participation at a Cursillo retreat in Miami which led to launching Cursillo retreats locally.

Missing their homeland's traditions led them to honor their patroness by celebrating Mass for her at St. James Cathedral initially before moving it to St. Augustine Parish due to growing Hispanic attendance.

Maria Knoll who immigrated from Cienfuegos explained: “Our Lady of Charity is a symbol of unity and patriotism for the Cuban people.” She noted that long before Cubans had national symbols like an anthem or flag; they already revered this figure.

Knoll helps coordinate this annual event as part Annunciation parishioner duties emphasizing how it invokes nostalgia among exiled Cubans while also serving as an occasion praying collectively for their native church political prisoners future prospects envisioned positively by founding fathers seeking universal welfare within society.

By Glenda Meekins