The National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the Our Lady of Charity, patroness of Cuba, located in the Miami metropolitan area, next to Biscayne Bay, and was built thanks to the commitment and effort of the Cuban exile community in the United States.
With more than a 55-year presence, this Shrine known as Ermita de la Caridad, is one of South Florida’s most important places of worship, history, and culture.
La Ermita is home to all of Mary’s children, without distinction of sex, race, or religion, whom she waits for every day to welcome them under her mantle of maternal love, the mantle of the Virgin of Charity. Thank you for your visit!
1961
On September 8th, 1961, the blessed image of the Our Lady of Charity venerated at the Shrine arrives in Miami. She came from the Guanabo Parish in Havana, Cuba. The night of its arrival, the statue presided over the Mass that was celebrated in her honor at Miami Stadium before 30,000 Cubans exiled.
1966
On September 8th, 1966, Archbishop Coleman F. Carrol urged the Cuban faithful to build a shrine to the Virgen del Cobre in Miami: “Today, the Diocese of Miami exhorts all Cubans’ artists, architects, sculptors, painters, and craftsmen, to give their talent and time in order to achieve this goal.”
1967
The cornerstone of the provisional chapel was laid on May 20th, 1967, and a Holy Mass was celebrated.
1968
On May 21st, 1968, Archbishop Coleman Carrol orders the foundation of the Society of Our Lady of Charity in order to gather devotees to honor the Virgin and through her evangelize other.
1973
On December 2nd, 1973, the Ermita de la Caridad structure was dedicated by Cardinal Kroll, Archbishop of Philadelphia, then president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, with the presence of Archbishop Carroll of Miami and visiting Bishops, Boza Masvidal and Gracida.
1977
On September 8th, 1977, the Ermita’s Mural was inaugurated.
1987
In September 1987, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Miami, the image of Our Lady of Charity was brought to the residence of Archbishop McCarthy to preside over the Holy Father’s private chapel. In his homily, the Pope made reference to Our Lady of Charity.
1994
On May 14, 1994, Archbishop McCarthy solemnly consecrated the altar of the Shrine, where the cornerstone can be seen. This stone contains soil from the different provinces of Cuba, which was mixed with water that arrived on a raft on which fifteen people perished while attempting to escape Cuba.
2000
The Ermita de la Caridad was declared as National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2012
On April 11th, 2012, Bishop Agustín Román dies. He was the founder of the Shrine and its spiritual leader for many years. He died as he lived, evangelizing, praying for the freedom of Cuba, and giving everything to God and neighbors.
2025
The Restoring Hope campaign is launched to begin Phase I of the urgent renovations of the Shrine.
