Text Box: restorers’ unfortunate solution to the problem was to scrape away most of the original paint and repaint over the bare wood. Whether its origins are ordinary or extraordinary, the Black Madonna is an icon of tremendous spiritual importance to the Church and to the Polish and Ukrainian peoples. She Shows the Way. The icon depicts the Virgin Mary and Christ in the “Hodegetria” (One Who Shows the Way) style where the Blessed Virgin directs attention away from herself and toward Jesus. The Child looks forward in blessing while holding the Gospels in his left hand. Among the multitude of miracles and graces attributed to the icon: saving Jasna Góra (Bright Mount) Monastery from 17th-century Swedish marauders. In gratitude for this miracle, King Jan Kazimierz proclaimed Our Lady of Czestochowa Queen and protector of Poland on April 1, 1656. The darkness of the Black Madonna is a result of the dark wood upon which the icon was painted and/or centuries of sunlight, soot, candle and incense smoke and pollution. The icon also carries two deep scars on the Blessed Virgin’s right cheek; they were inflicted by a crazed Hussite soldier in his attempt to destroy it. Other historical records suggest the damage was caused during “The Deluge,” the Swedish invasion and occupation of Poland-Lithuania from 1655 to 1660. Despite several attempts at repairing the scars, they have reappeared. The Black Madonna is now closely associated with Poland, just as Our Lady of Guadalupe is associated with Mexico. Every family has a copy of it hanging in their home, and Poles who have the means will frequently make pilgrimages to visit it. Good Mother I walked into the hushed monastery chapel, which is a great deal smaller than I had expected. The Black Madonna is relatively close to the congregation, though clearly out of reach. My attention was directed from the Virgin to the Child in her arms. All around me grown men were crying and women clutched infants to their chests, looking imploringly at the icon. I felt overwhelmed and humbled. My own hopes and prayers fell away from me, and I prayed for the people around me who seemed so much more in need. The icon is exposed only for short periods of time. When the metal curtain slowly descends to cover it, a group of elderly Polish ladies enters to clear the chapel of pilgrims. I suspect most people wouldn’t leave unless strongly encouraged to do so. Either way, I didn’t have sufficient time before the icon; I could have easily spent the day there. As I got up to leave, a woman — I’m unsure if she was a pilgrim or if she was on the staff at the chapel — handed me a Polish prayer card with an image of Our Lady of Czestochowa. My Polish friend translated the prayer on the back for me: “Holy Mother of Czestochowa, you are full of grace, goodness and mercy. I consecrate to you all my thoughts, words and actions, my soul and body. I humbly beseech your blessings and especially your prayers for my salvation. Today I turn myself to you, good Mother, totally, with body and soul amid joy and suffering to obtain for myself and others your blessings on this earth and eternal life in heaven. Amen.” Along with the Memorare, it Text Box: has since become one of my favorite prayers. Angelo Stagnaro writes from New York. JASNA GÓRA ul. O. A. Kordeckiego 2 42-225 Czestochowa 25, POLAND tel. 011-48-34-377-7777 Jasnagora.pl sanktuarium@jasnagora.pl