United States Expresses Solidarity with Cubans on Day of Our Lady of Charity

The United States Embassy in Cuba joined in the celebrations for the Day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre on Tuesday, extending a heartfelt message to Cubans both on the island and abroad, emphasizing faith, hope, and love for Cuba. "Today, on the Day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, we stand with Cubans everywhere who honor 'Cachita' and all she represents: faith, hope, health, and love for Cuba," stated the U.S. diplomatic mission. The message was accompanied by a video featuring a past visit by U.S. Chief of Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, and his wife Margret to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba. Symbolic Visit and Humanitarian Connection The Embassy detailed that the visit took place during a trip to Santiago de Cuba to meet with recipients of aid provided by the Trump Administration following Hurricane Melissa. "Our Chief of Mission Mike Hammer and his wife Margret visited the Sanctuary of the Virgin in El Cobre, lighting a candle for Cuba and its people," noted the U.S. representation. In the video, a female voice recalls both those affected by Melissa and the visit to the iconic Cuban sanctuary. "Remembering all those impacted by Hurricane Melissa and our visit to El Cobre last year, on this Day of Our Lady of Charity, may our beloved Cachita continue to protect and watch over Cuba and all her children," the narration states. The Sanctuary's Resilience and Symbolic Acts The footage also includes remarks from the priest of El Cobre, highlighting the profound symbolic significance of the candles left by pilgrims before the Virgin. "Each candle offered by a pilgrim carries a dream, a hope, a good wish," explains the priest, underscoring the faith and devotion with which many come to light them. The clergyman also recounted the damage the Sanctuary endured during the hurricane and the force with which the wind battered the elevated building. "The wind didn't understand. Perhaps due to the Sanctuary's height, it struck very hard," he recounted. He explained that the storm's intensity was such that it peeled paint and damaged one of the building's angels. "We humorously say the devil left his mark because an angel fell," he added. Historical Ties and Continued Support The reference to the hurricane ties the religious message of September 8 to the humanitarian efforts led by the United States post-Melissa. Following the storm, Hammer publicly expressed his prayers and solidarity with the Cuban people and those affected, particularly in the eastern region of the country. Additionally, Hammer's connection with the Sanctuary of El Cobre and Cuba's Patroness is longstanding. In February 2025, Hammer visited the temple, offering a bouquet of sunflowers to the Virgin. At that time, he described the experience as "beautiful and moving," expressing his hope that the Virgin Mary's advocacy would grant Cubans "their desires for a better and free future." The U.S. Embassy had previously utilized September 8 to convey messages of solidarity with Cubans. In 2025, the diplomatic mission also congratulated those celebrating the Virgin of Charity, affectionately known as "Cachita," inside and outside the island. The Day of Our Lady of Charity celebrates the patron saint of Cuba, symbolizing faith, hope, and love for the Cuban people. It is a day when Cubans honor their cultural and religious heritage. The U.S. Embassy has shown solidarity with Cubans by sending messages of support and participating in visits to significant cultural and religious sites, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre. The U.S. provided humanitarian aid to those affected by Hurricane Melissa, with U.S. officials visiting impacted areas to offer support and assess the needs of the Cuban people.