Patron Saint Of Cuba To Be Honored In Miami Saturday

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Thousands of people are expected to gather at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Saturday in a huge celebration to mark the 400th anniversary of Our Lady Of Charity, Cuba's Patron Saint.

The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday September 8th from the Shrine of our Lady of Charity in Coconut Grove also known as La Ermita de la Caridad.

The statue will be taken by sea to the AmericanAirlines Arena where she expected to arrive at 5 p.m. Then, a small procession will follow her arrival along the sidewalk of the Arena to pray for the freedom and Peace in Cuba and around the world.

At 5:40 p.m. the statue of Our Lady of Charity will make her way into the Arena where a mass led by Archbishop Thomas Wenski will begin at 6 p.m.

To culminate the celebration a number of Latin artists including Albita, Hansel y Raul and Roberto Torres will perform at 8:15.

The statue of Our Lady of Charity also known as La Caridad del Cobre was discovered 400 years ago by three fishermen bracing a storm in Cuba's Bay of Nipe.

The Archdiocese of Miami along with La Ermita de la Caridad is inviting the faithful to the free event.