The Black Madonna
The Black Madonna is the true Queen of Poland. Some say she covers a tabletop built by Jesus. Others that she is Mary Magdalene. One thing is certain. Our Lady is black. And no, that dark hue on her skin is not candle smoke.
POWERFUL FORCES
10/16/20241 min read
There are many legends attached to the Black Madonna. Some believe she is ancient. What can be proven is that she has resided in the cloisters at Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland for over 600 years. If you look closely you will see Our Lady has scars on her face. She has suffered slings, arrows and sword strokes but she has survived. She remains beautiful.
You will also hear it said that the Virgin Mary’s suffering is the essence of the Polish soul. She is the epitome of perfect motherhood, loving and forgiving, protector of her children who share her grief in losing her son to a violent death.
In World War Two all the mothers of Poland held this symbol in their hearts. For many were doing the same. Images of the Black Madonna can be found in homes all over Poland.
For the Black Madonna creates miracles.
During Nazi occupation the monks decided to save the Black Madonna from the Nazis. One night, when no one was in the monastery besides them, they took the icon out of its frame, secured it in wrapping and hid it under the tabletop in the library. Then the monks put a copy of the icon in its original frame. The Black Madonna remained hidden in plain sight during the course of the war.
During this time, many German Nazis, including high ranking commanders visited the monastery and spent a lot of time in its library, not suspecting anything. The Nazis condemned the painting of the Black Madonna as Mongolian - and racially impure – but they were afraid to touch it.
Hitler had a great curiosity about the power of the Black Madonna and came to visit the painting. Nobody knows his reasons for doing this.
https://think.iafor.org/the-power-of-an-image-the-black-madonna-of-czestochowa/