Holy Father Pius XI authorized the canonical coronation of the sacred image, and the ceremony was performed by then-Bishop of Santiago de Cuba, Monsignor Valentin Zubizarreta, on the morning of December 20, 1936.

Later, in tribute to the Cuban people during his visit to the island in 1998, Pope John Paul II crowned and blessed the image of Cuba’s patron saint during the third mass celebrated at Antonio Maceo Square in Santiago de Cuba.

Pope John Paul II called the Cuban people to never forget the great events related to Caridad and remembered the unique place that Virgin Mary, to whom he was devoted to, occupies in the Church’s mission.

The image’s feast day is commemorated on September 8, the birth and nativity of Virgin Mary. She is also known as Our Lady of Charity La Caridad del Cobre or simply Cachita.

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