Solemnity of Our Lady of Jasna Gora
THE MIRACULOUS ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF JASNA GÓRA (Czestochowa)
The Miraculous Image of the Mother of God is Jasna Góra’s greatest treasure. It made Jasna Góra one of the largest Marian sanctuaries in Poland already in the 15th century. However, neither the legend that holds that St. Luke the Evangelist was the painter of the Icon nor Hedwige and Ladislaus Jagiello royal patronage explain why it happened. It is not the case of apparitions, either, as there have never been any Marian apparitions at Jasna Góra. The reason for the uniqueness of this place then must lie much deeper and it seems that the strength and mystery that attracts pilgrims to the feet of Our Lady of Jasna Góra lies in Her presence through the Miraculous Painting. Without the Image then, Jasna Góra would only be a collection of buildings, memorabilia and works of art, perhaps a beautiful and rich, but dead museum.
The first mention of The Miraculous Image of the Mother of God can be found in Liber Beneficiorum by Jan Dlugosz: “The image of Mary, the most glorious and most venerable Virgin and Lady, Queen of the world and our Queen (…) painted in a strange and rare technique, (…) with the most admirable expression which penetrates beholders with singular piety – as if you were looking at a living person.” The Painting represents one of the iconographic depictions of Virgin Mary known as Hodegetria, which means ‘The One Showing the Way’. It portrays Mary as the Mother of God, but also the Mother of every human being.
Little is known about the beginnings of the Miraculous Image and its history until 1382. There is no certain and strictly historical information – only tradition and various pious legends according to which the Painting of our Lady of Czestochowa was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist during the life of the Blessed Mother. The same tradition also holds the Icon was painted on a tabletop from the House of the Holy Family in Nazareth.
In the fourth century St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, brought theImage to Constantinople. There it enjoyed great veneration and was of help particularity at times of grievous afflictions such as contagious diseases, epidemics, etc. Around the 9th or 10th century, the Icon travelled north, where it finally settled in the town of Belz, northeast of Lviv in Red Ruthenia.
In 1382 Ladislaus, Duke of Opole, who ruled in Ruthenia on behalf of the Hungarian king Louis I, decided to move the Image to his castle in Opole, Silesia region, to protect it against a possible desecration from Tatar hordes (tradition holds that during one of the sieges of the tower of Belz, the Blessed Virgin in the Icon was hit in the neck by a Tatar arrow that went through the window of the chapel where the Icon was placed for worship). When on his way to Opole the Duke stopped for a short rest at Jasna Góra, here Our Lady had let him know Her will: She wanted the Miraculous Icon to stay there. Prince Ladislaus left then the Image at Jasna Góra, entrusting it to the care of the Paulines, the Monks in White habits that he had invited from Hungary.
A pilgrimage of the heart
For many years the most important meeting with Mary for me was the pilgrimage to Częstochowa. This full-day journey was one continuous conversation with Mary. I knew Who I was going to, why I was going and where I was going. when I am away, I miss these pilgrimages and meetings with the Mother of God very much. I always hope thatsoon I will be back to Her.
On the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, we all wish to make a spiritual pilgrimage to her throne of grace. God saw in Mary a future saint, therefore He chose her and distinguished her from all women on earth.
When we look at the image of the Black Madonna in Jasna Góra, we see the Mother in it. The one who has the beloved Son closest to her.
When we look at the image of the Black Madonna in Jasna Góra, we see Mary's loving eyes with which she looks mercifully at all her children.
When we look at the image of the Black Madonna in Jasna Góra, we see the Mother's face cut through by a soldier - as if an echo of Simeon's words: "(And you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”. (cf. Lk 2:35)
What can we learn from Mary? Above all, faith and trust in God. In situations from which, humanly speaking, we see no way out, we often find that there is nothing else to do but believe, pray and wait for a miracle. If our attitude is characterized by such faith and such boundless trust in God and Mary, then our waiting for a miracle in difficult times will not be fruitless. Undoubtedly, the prayer offered through the intercession of the Mother of God is of great value. She teaches us that our faith and trust in God cannot be thoughtless. "Do whatever [my Son] tells you" (cf. Jn. 2: 5). She watches that we find the way to the real life that he has prepared for us. Faith is not a religious folklore associated with " mindless repetition" the rosary, kissing figurines of Mary or tourists "counting" successive Marian sanctuaries visited by them. It is following the voice of the Lord on the "path of love".
Our Lady teaches us "how-to live-in faith, how to grow in it, how to commune with the mystery of God in the ordinary, everyday moments of our life" (Benedict XVI). Mary delights me with her entrustment and obedience because this entrustment is also needed in my life. The Mother of God of Częstochowa is especially close to me, she looks at us with a concerned gaze and she says: Don't be afraid, I will lead you through all the 'storms' of your life; do not be afraid, I am always with you. I am with you, I remember, I keep watching over you”.
While experiencing today's celebration, let us pray: "Lady of Częstochowa, Mother of the Church, (...) You have been shining with miracles and graces for centuries at Jasna Góra - the capital of Your mercy. (...) Awaken the hearts of saints among us, shape true apostles of faith, strengthen love for the Holy Church. Obtain for me the longed for graces... Mother with a wounded face, I place myself and all those dear to me in your hands. I trust in you, I count on your intercession with yourSon, for the glory of the Triune God. Amen".
Until Tomorrow
fr. george