One of my favorite topics lately is going on pilgrimage. I’ve written about it before, and most recently in my latest book, Our Lady of Charity. I have a deep yearning to return to Rome, to travel to Mexico City to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to go on the Camino, to visit the Holy Land!
In short, I want to go on pilgrimage!
Enter Marge Fenelon‘s new book, My Queen, My Mother: A Living Novena. In this wonderful book, designed like a novena to the Blessed Mother, Fenelon takes us on a tour of Marian sites across the country. Frankly, much more do-able for me if I want to get on the road, like she did, but from a practical perspective, a pilgrimage from my armchair. I read the book over the consecutive nine days of the novena, reading about each site as I learned more about the country, the Blessed Mother’s titles here, and delved deeper into a spiritual practice that I already love! My next road trip is definitely going to be to visit The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin!
In addition to the armchair pilgrimage and the ideas for new adventures, I was inspired to think intentionally about the local shrines that are available to me. Something as simple as a drive into town to visit churches near me is a pilgrimage. I’m inspired to look in my own area for opportunities to go on pilgrimage!
To celebrate with Marge, I want to introduce you to the Ermita de la Caridad in Miami, a pilgrimage site in South Florida that was originally built by Cuban immigrants in the early 1970’s and has been my go-to place in recent years. Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba, is an important devotion for Cubans, and Cuban-Americans, and since the creation of the shrine, has been a growing devotion in South Florida. Don’t miss this little shrine if you find yourself in Miami on vacation.
The story surrounding this devotion is lovely and so pertinent for our times! In the early 1600’s, three men were out in their canoe gathering salt in the marshes surrounding the Bay of Nipe in Cuba. A storm came up suddenly, and tossed them about in the small boat. In their need, they called out to the Blessed Mother and the seas calmed, revealing a small statue floating in the water that was untouched by the waves. They took this miraculous statue back to their village and built a little shrine in thanksgiving, and the devotion grew, first in their village and then travelled with them across the whole island! It’s an inspiring devotion for all of us today, especially if we are feeling tossed around in a storm.
The shrine in Miami tells the whole history of the devotion and the impact of the Blessed Mother on the development of Cuba as a nation. As you read My Queen, My Mother and make plans for your pilgrimages, add this precious site to your travels! You won’t be disappointed. I mean, how could you? Our Momma wants you to get to know her intimately — and introduce you to her Son.
Read more about My Queen, My Mother Blog Tour from these dates!
