Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors visit
Czestochowa, to see the painting of the Black Madonna with baby Jesus.
This image of Our Lady was painted by St. Luke the
Evangelist on the wooden table that Mary ate her meals off.
Many years later, the image was then found by St. Helena,
the mother of Constantine, during her visit to the Holy Land in the third century. She
brought the image back to Constantinople where it remained for five centuries. The image
then made its way to Poland and into the hands of St. Ladislaus.
Saint Ladislaus saved this image from invading Tartars who
repeatedly attacked the city where the image was. An arrow hit the neck of Our Lady and
left a scar. Ladislaus took the painting to Jasna Gora, Czestochowa. The image was placed
in a small wooden church, called the Church of Assumption.
In 1430, this image was again attacked, this time it was
by Hussites. Wanting to remove the jewelry from the image, one of the thieves drew
their sword, hitting the face twice of Our Lady, inflicting deep gashes. Attempting to
strike the image for the third time, he fell to the ground dieing in agony. Fearing the
same would happen, the other thieves ran away. Despite attempts to fix the image from its
injuries, all attempts failed. It is believed to be Our Lady’s Will for the
inflictions to remain and act as a sign to others who chose to desecrate Her shrine.
There have been many reported miracles worked by Our Lady
of Czestochowa. In the 16th century, a large army of Swedish invader were
fought off by a small Polish army. Our Lady was then acclaimed the Queen of Poland for the
miracles she had worked.
More recent miracles include the withdrawal of invading
Russian troops in WW1, as people prayed to Her for help.
Pope John Paul II, has visited his native homeland, and
prayed before the Madonna during the visits in 1979, 1983 and 1991.
Why the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa is black remains
a question. It is believed that flames and smoke of fire destroyed the image and therefore
is know as the “Black Madonna.” It is also believed that Her black skin is meant
to teach us that we should not judge others, especially by their skin colour.