Our Lady of Czestochowa
Feast Day: August 26
Also known as the 'black Madonna' of Poland, legend states that the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa
was been painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. It is a venerated icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus. The original image is located in Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland. The icon gets its name "Black Madonna" from years of soot residue from candles, etc. that discolors the painting.
Legend also says that when St. Helen visited Jerusalem in the 300s in search of the true Cross, she also discovered the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The portrait was then given to her son, Constantine. It was then later owned by Charlemagne, who passed it on to Prince Leo of Ruthenia (now Hungary). Prince Leo kept the image in his palace until an invasion occurred in the 11th century. The prince prayed to Our Lady, and his country was saved because of Our Lady's intercession.
In the 1300s, the icon was transferred to Jasna Gora (The Mount of Light) in Poland by Prince Ladislaus. In 1382 when the prince's fortress was attacked, the painting was damaged by an arrow that struck
Our Lady's image in the throat. Because of this, the prince fled to Czestochowa and had the painting installed in a small church there, and subsequently had a monastery and larger church built to ensure the painting's safety. In 1430, Hussites overtook the monastery and attempted to steal the portrait. One of the men slashed the painting twice with his sword but was struck dead before he could inflict any more damage. Both the arrow wound and the sword cuts are still visible in the image today.
In 1655 Poland was nearly completely overthrown by Sweden's King. The only area that was not taken was the area surrounding the monastery. The monks were able to successfully defend Our Lady's image throughout the 40-day siege, and Poland was able to drive out all of its invaders.
As a result, Our Lady of Czestochowa became the symbol of Poland and was crowned "Queen of Poland". The king placed the entire country under the protection of Our Lady.
Over the centuries, there have been numerous miracles attributed to the intercession of
the Blessed Virgin Mary and the portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
Coincidentally, August 26th - the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa - is also Fr. Craig Carolan's birthday!