This past weekend, the Cuban community of Boca La Caja in Panama City hosted their annual maritime procession in honor of Our Lady of Charity, the beloved patroness of the neighborhood and a cherished figure for both Cubans and Panamanians. Captured in a video on the TikTok account @capcaridaddelcobre, the event featured the revered Marian image sailing across the bay on a boat festooned with white and yellow flowers, while followers paid homage through songs and prayers.
Each year, this procession draws a multitude of devotees, merging religious tradition with popular culture in an urban setting where the sea and skyscrapers form a dramatic backdrop. For many Cubans residing in Panama, Our Lady of Charity embodies a symbol of identity and hope, connecting them to their homeland.
This event underscores the syncretism and cultural diversity that define Panama City's vibrant landscape. Here, Marian devotion crosses borders, bringing together various communities in a shared display of faith.