Also commonly called the Black Madonna for her darker coloring, the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa is shrouded in mystery. Over the centuries, many legends have surrounded the icon’s origins. One popular legend maintains that the image was written by St. Luke on the cedar table of the Holy Family. The legend then posits that St. Helen found it in the Holy Land around the 4th century.
We know for certain that the image came into the possession of St. Ladislaus, a polish prince, in the 15th century. During a raid by the Tatars on his castle, an arrow struck the image of Our Lady on her throat. After this, St. Ladislaus decided to move the image for safer keeping. When he stopped in Czestochowa, it is said that his horses could not pull the icon in the wagon any further. St. Ladislaus took this as a heavenly sign that the image was meant to stay in Czestochowa. For this reason, it has remained at Jasna Gora Monastery and has taken the name of the city in which she remains.
In 1430, the monastery was raided by Hussites, and the image was slashed on the cheek twice. Legend has it that the raider raised his sword to slash it a third time, but fell down dead before he could strike it again. The brothers at Jasna Gora have restored the image several times, but the scars on her throat and face always reappear. For 600 years, the image has remained at Jasna Gora, surviving a protestant raid in 1655 and both World Wars.
Her right hand is positioned gesturing to the Christ Child, a reminder that Our Lady always leads us to her Son. The Child Jesus is holding his hand up towards the viewer in blessing—an even more humbling and beautiful gesture with the remaining marks on His mother’s face. It seems to suggest that even though our sins leave scars and hurt those closest to Christ, His love is unconditional, unwavering, and universal for all who seek the intercession of His Blessed Mother.
Practical Lessons
- Ask for Our Lady’s Intercession: In this image of Our Lady, she is gesturing to her Son, but looking directly at the viewer. This reminds us of what Our Lord said to St. John from the cross, “Behold your mother.” Mary is not only Jesus’ mother, but also our heavenly one, always ready and eager to ask her Son for whatever we need.
- Have Mercy: The scars on Our Lady’s face and throat remind us of the scars our sins leave on our own souls and others’. May we always humbly remember this and thus have mercy on those who might leave scars on our hearts.
Prayer
Holy Mother of Czestochowa, thou art full of grace, goodness, and mercy. I beseech thy blessings and especially prayers for my salvation. Amen.
