Our Lady of Charity

It just keeps growing, Suarez says, the number of people the church feeds.

In between helping parishioners survive a worsening crisis, Suarez also organized one of the most important events of the Cuban Catholic calendar, the annual half-mile procession of La Caridad del Cobre, Cuba's patron saint.

You're listening to a reading of today's USA Today on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service.

The time is 1216.

For those of us who are Cuban, this feast carries a profound meaning.

Today we honor our Lady of Charity, Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, the Mother and Patroness of Cuba.

Her image was found upon the waters by three humble men.

Once again, Mary appeared not in a palace, but among the poor.

He begins in forgotten places.

And when one heart truly says yes, heaven has somewhere to begin.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Charity, Queen of Peace, take us by the hand and lead us to your Son.

Teach us to trust as you trusted, to love as you loved, and to say with you from the depths of our hearts that it be done according to your word.