Bunda Maria dari Częstochowa

Bunda Maria Hitam, Ratu dan Ibu Polandia

Ikon Bunda Maria Hitam Jasna Góra adalah salah satu ikon yang paling dihormati di dunia dan merupakan jantung spiritual Polandia. Wajahnya yang gelap, ditandai dengan dua bekas luka di pipi, telah menemani rakyat Polandia melewati masa-masa tersulit mereka.

Sebuah ikon kuno

The image is a painting of the Hodegetria type («she who shows the way»), of Byzantine origin, documented in Częstochowa since the 14th century. According to tradition, it was brought to Poland by Duke Ladislaus of Opole and entrusted to the Pauline Fathers at Jasna Góra around 1382. During a Hussite raid in 1430 the image was damaged: the two scars on the Virgin’s right cheek remain visible to this day.

Jantung sebuah bangsa

Jasna Góra became the spiritual center of Poland, especially after the Swedish siege of 1655, whose victorious resistance was attributed to the protection of the Virgin. In gratitude, King John II Casimir consecrated Poland to Mary in 1656, proclaiming her «Queen of the Crown of Poland.» Saint John Paul II, a deeply devoted son of this Virgin, linked his motto Totus Tuus to her.