Tributes to Cuba’s patron saint will be part of Cuba Nostalgia, which will be held May 18-20 at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo—Daniel Shoer Roth reports in The Miami Herald.
Cuban archbishop evacuates Ladies in White from basilica amid fears of police beating
The archbishop of Cuba’s second-largest city helped evacuate 14 women dissidents who had sought refuge at the El Cobre Basilica amid reports that police were waiting nearby to beat them, dissidents reported Monday.
Haydee Gonzalez still recalls when in a moment of need she turned to Our Lady of Charity for help.
It was decades ago. Her family had come to Havana from Cienfuegos for their flight into exile in Spain. An invitation to stay with relatives had been yanked at the last minute for political reasons.
Now Gonzalez, her husband, and two daughters were lost in the capital’s unfamiliar streets, suitcases in tow; trying to find another relative’s home without an address.
They needed a miracle.
“All I remembered was that my relatives lived in a house in front of a bakery,” Gonzalez, now, 78, said.
Weeping, she prayed to help from La Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity).
“Suddenly, I noticed the smell of bread. I looked up and I was in front of the house I was looking for,” Gonzalez said.
La Caridad del Cobre, the patron saint of Cubans, had helped her, she swears to this day.
Gonzalez recently shared her story with The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald in response to an invitation from both newspapers for readers to share their experiences of when they believe the virgin had granted them a wish when in need.
Gonzalez’s brief testimony will join a collage to be displayed in the exhibition area at this year’s Cuba Nostalgia, which will be held May 18-20 at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo, 10901 SW 24 St.
In its 14th year, the event is dedicated to the beloved Caridad del Cobre, who is celebrating her 400 years since her apparition was spotted in the Bay of Nipe in Cuba.
“We want our readers to share with us their stories of blessings received from La Caridad del Cobre,” said Silvia Larrieu, marketing manager for The Miami Herald Media Co. “It’s the way the Herald is celebrating the anniversary of la virgen and the culture of some of our readers.”
At the newspaper’s booth, visitors will find an original illustration of La Caridad designed by graphic artist Ana Lense Larrauri, who will attend the event.
Also on display will be photographs taken by The Miami Herald’s Patrick Farrell during Pope Benedict XVI’s March visit to El Cobre.
The photos and the artwork will be auctioned, the funds will be donated to the Ermita de la Caridad del Cobre in Miami, where a replica of the Caridad del Cobre resides.
Visitors to the booth can see other historical photos of Miami’s Cuban exile experience and consult databases that The Miami Herald has developed with the names of the Cubans who left the island during Operation Pedro Pan, Freedom Flights, and the Mariel boatlift.
And if like Gonzalez, you wish to share, in 150 words or less, your personal testimony of a blessing received from la Caridad del Cobre, pleases send it before Monday to: marketing@miamiherald.com
For the original report go to http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/09/2792007/readers-asked-to-share-their.html#storylink=cpy
Image: A commemorative page in honor of the 400th anniversary of La Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity). The digital reproduction by Miami Herald graphic artist Ana Lense Larrauri will be published on the back page of Issues & Ideas. It also will be on display at the Cuba Nostalgia event at the Fair Expo Center, May 18-20, and part of a silent auction. Proceeds will be donated to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Coconut Grove.
