Our Lady of Czestochowa

The miraculous portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa is venerated by many as an actual portrait of the Madonna, painted during her lifetime by Saint Luke the Evangelist on the top of a cypress-wood table.

Early history of the image is unknown. Saint Helena in her search for the True Cross in Jerusalem discovered the portrait in 326. Her son, Constantine, had a shrine built for it in Constantinople where it remained for 500 years. There it is claimed to have saved the city from attacking Saracens while being displayed during a battle.

Many years later the Emperor Charlemagne was offered the choice of any of the city's treasures, but he had eyes only for the image of Our Lady. Charlemagne presented the portrait to Prince Leo of Ruthenia. The icon was brought to Kiev and installed in the Royal Palace of Belz, where it remained for nearly 600 years.

In 1382 the image was damaged. An arrow from an invading Tartar struck it and left a scar on the neck which is still visible today. Prince Ladislaus Opolski decided to move the portrait to a safer haven.

Mary is said to have told Prince Ladislaus in a dream that Jasna Gora near Czestochowa was to be Her new resting place. Eventually the Polish Pauline Fathers became custodians of the icon.

The Pauline Fathers built a shrine for the portrait at Czestochowa and many miracles occurred there. It soon became the most famous shrine in Poland. The image has remained at Jasna Gora for 600 years.

In 1430 Hussites sacked the Jasna Gora monastery and the icon was further mutilated. A raider slashed at the image in an effort to claim the adornments of jewels and gold, cutting twice into the right cheek of Mary. The raider attempted a third strike, but then he suddenly dropped dead. Fearing Divine retribution, the others raiders fled.

Attempts to restore the image have not been successful. It is believed to be the will of Mary that Her scars remain as a sign to others who would desecrate Her shrine.

In 1920 the Polish people beseeched Our Lady to save them from impending Russian invasion. Her image appeared over Warsaw, causing a Russian withdrawal. Once again She showed Her support for Her people during times of oppression.

In 1928 the poet Hilaire Belloc visited the shrine. He left behind the manuscript of a beautiful poem:


Ballad to Our Lady of Czestochowa
Lady and Queen and Mystery manifold
And very regent of the untroubled sky,
Whom in a dream Saint Kilda did behold
And heard a woodland music passing by:
You shall receive me when the clouds are high
With evening and the sheep attain the fold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
Steep are the seas and savaging and cold
In broken waters terrible to try;
And vast against the winter night the wold,
And harbourless for any sail to lie.
But You shall lead me to the lights, and I
Shall hymn You in a harbour story told.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
Help of the half-defeated, House of gold,
Shrine of the Sword, and Tower of Ivory;
Splendour apart, supreme and aureoled,
The Battler's vision and the Word's reply.
You shall restore me, O my last Ally,
To vengeance and the glories of the bold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.


In 1948 during the Russian occupation of Poland thousands of people demonstrated their faith en masse on the Feast of the Assumption, even while Communist soldiers patrolled the streets.

Pope John Paul II, native of Poland, visited the shrine in 1979 and 1983.

During a papal visit to New Zealand in 1986 Pope John Paul II presented a magnificent copy of the icon to Maori representatives.

On 1st October 2000 the New Zealand icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa was brought into the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand by members of the Polish community. The traditional Polish dress of representatives on view and the recital of Polish/English prayers and hymns throughout the church service, reminded us of just how much the Polish people have become close and dear friends of Our Mother through the centuries.

The icon remained in the Cathedral for the month of October.

Prayer to Our Lady of Czestochowa

O Mother of God, Immaculate Mary, to Thee do I dedicate my body and soul, all my prayers and deeds, my joys and sufferings, all that I am and all that I have. With a joyful heart I surrender myself to Thy love. To Thee will I devote my services of my own free will for the salvation of mankind, and for the help of the Holy Church whose Mother Thou art.

From now on my only desire is to do all things with Thee, through Thee, and for Thee. I know I can accomplish nothing by my own strength, whereas You can do everything that is the will of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. You are always victorious. Grant, therefore, O Helper of the Faithful, that my family, my parish, and my country might become in truth the Kingdom where Thou reignest in the glorious presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.


Black Madonnas: Our Lady of Czestochowa
Polish American Center