Thousands Honor Our Lady of Charity at Miami Shrine

MIAMI — Thousands of pilgrims visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami on Sept. 7, 2026, the vigil before the annual feast of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba. The shrine, known locally as La Ermita de la Caridad, is a significant site for many Cubans in Miami devoted to the Virgin Mary.

The days leading up to Sept. 8, the feast day, saw a significant influx of faithful to the shrine. Visitors placed flowers, lit candles and gathered for prayer. This year also marked the 65th anniversary of the image of Our Lady of Charity's arrival in Miami from Cuba.

Pilgrims selected yellow flowers, such as sunflowers, yellow roses, yellow margaritas and yellow chrysanthemums, to adorn the statue of the Virgin Mary. Yellow is the color customarily associated with Our Lady of Charity, and her shrines often display these blooms. Lauren Almeida, who manages Floreria "El Cobre" at the shrine, assisted visitors with their floral selections.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity serves as a spiritual center for the Cuban community in Miami. Many view it as a connection to their homeland and faith. The shrine also features a statue of Miami Auxiliary Bishop Agustín Román, the Cuban-born exiled bishop and founding rector of the shrine.