Archconfraternity

The Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Charity is a Marian association that honors the Mother of God, and invites to honor her under the title of Our Lady of Charity. The Archconfraternity have it headquarter at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of the Archdiocese of Miami, and its motto is: “To Jesus through Mary. Charity unites us.

The Archconfraternity meets every third Thursday of each month with all the Apostolic Movements of the Archdiocese, to receive the orientations of the Archbishop under the direction of the Episcopal Vicar of Archdiocesan Pastoral Care.

Spirituality

It was inspired, from its foundation here, by Chapter X of Lumen Gentium Encyclical letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary, and by the writings of St. Louis Marie de Monfort and St. Anthonio Maria Claret.

Apostolic Activity

Its evangelizing efforts are directed to all the faithful, giving priority to non-practicing Catholics, who are catechized, invited to receive more faith formation, and encouraged to become members of their respective parishes.

History

The original Confraternity was founded in Cuba by Bishop Juan García Palacios on August 2nd, 1682, when the territories of the Island and the Florida Peninsula belonged to the same diocese of Santiago de Cuba. Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll established it in the Archdiocese of Miami on March 10th, 1968, with the purpose of spreading the true devotion to Our Lady of Charity in this Archdiocese. The exemplary evangelizing work of the Confraternity for 33 years led Archbishop John Clement Favalora to elevate it to the rank of Archconfraternity on May 31st, 2001, Feast of the Visitation.