Jasna Góra Monastery

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The Jasna Góra Monastery (Polish: Jasna Góra, Luminous Mount, Hungarian: Fényes Hegy, Latin: Clarus Mons) in Częstochowa, Poland, is the most famous Polish shrine to the Virgin Mary and the country's greatest place of pilgrimage – for many its spiritual capital. The image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, also known as Our Lady of Częstochowa, to which miraculous powers are attributed, is Jasna Góra's most precious treasure.[1]

The site is one of the Polish National Historic Monuments (Pomnik historii), as designated September 16, 1994 and tracked by the National Heritage Board of Poland.

History

Black Madonna of Częstochowa, Poland

Founded in 1382 by Pauline monks who came from Hungary at the invitation of Władysław, Duke of Opole. The monastery has been a pilgrimage destination for hundreds of years, and it contains the most important icon of the Virgin Mary in this part of Europe. The icon, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child, is known as the Black Madonna of Częstochowa or Our Lady of Częstochowa, which is widely venerated and credited with many miracles.[2] Among these, it is credited with miraculously saving the Jasna Góra monastery during a siege that took place at the time of The Deluge, a 17th-century Swedish invasion. Although this event was of little military importance, the event stimulated the Polish resistance. The Poles could not immediately change the course of the war but after an alliance with the Crimean Khanate they repulsed the Swedes. Shortly thereafter, in the cathedral of Lviv, on April 1, 1656, Jan Kazimierz, the King of Poland, solemnly pronounced his vow to consecrate the country to the protection of the Mother of God and proclaimed Her the Patron and Queen of the lands in his kingdom.

Walking pilgrimages

Pilgrims reach Jasna Góra, 1993

Since the Middle Ages, every year thousands of Poles go in pilgrim groups to visit Jasna Góra. It is estimated that in 2012 103,000 pilgrims went to the shrine. There are a few hundred groups. The average distance to travel is about 350 kilometres (217 miles), made in 11 days.[3]

One of the pilgrimages is Wrocław Walking Pilgrimage.

Monastery etiquette

There are typically numerous pilgrims and tourists at Jasna Góra Monastery, and the volume of excited voices can be high. However, upon entering the Monastery, it is expected etiquette for visitors to be silent or as quiet as possible out of respect. Often, there is a long line of people who wait to approach the shrine of Our Lady. Upon arriving at the location of the shrine where one would pass in front of the icon of Our Lady, it is expected and a sign of respect for pilgrims to drop to their knees, and traverse the anterior of the shrine on their knees.

Gallery


  • ground plan

  • Jasna Góra Monastery

  • The main nave of the basilica

  • Our Lady of Częstochowa Shrine at Jasna Gora Monastery, Poland, 1992

  • Pilgrims arriving for the Feast of the Assumption

  • Benedict XVI on Jasna Góra in 2006

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jasna Góra Monastery.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "Częstochowa official website". copyright Urząd Miasta Częstochowy, Śląska 11/13, 42–217 Częstochowa. Retrieved 2008-10-22. 
  2. ↑ "Jasna Góra". copyright 1998–2008 Copyright by Klasztor OO. Paulinów Jasna Góra – Częstochowa. Retrieved 2008-10-22. 
  3. ↑ "Telewizja Dami - Grupa Medialna". Telewizja.radom.pl. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2013-03-12. 

External links

Coordinates: 50°48′45″N 19°05′50″E / 50.81250°N 19.09722°E / 50.81250; 19.09722

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