Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Thread Started on Sept 10, 2007, 1:58pm »
It's early September, and Poland is at the peak of the pilgrimage season to Częstochowa. The Polish people regard the Black Madonna as their Dearest Queen, and this Shrine has been sacred to them for centuries. It is their Cana, a place where each pilgrim brings his or her often unspoken needs, like the biblical bridegroom "who lacked wine," and She never fails to satisfy them in some way. Some seven million people come here every year in buses and on foot, often from very long distances. Those driving across Poland in the Summer or in the Fall, often come upon these pilgrims flanked with ropes (for safety) on both sides of their military style formations, thirsty, exhausted, but singing and smiling joyfully at the anticipated encounter. For some reason, when I pass them by, my eyes fill up with tears and I feel prouder of having been born here rather than anywhere else. They are certainly a special people, these pilgrims. Attracted to the Shrine as if by a magnetic force, they brave the rain and hail, and they develop blisters on their feet as they walk hundreds of miles. Undaunted, they cross the valleys and meadows, the wheat fields and the forests, carrying a single thought in their heart: to see their Mother one more time, to look into Her eyes, and to say: jestem przy Tobie, pamiętam, czuwam! (this in Polish means, "I am here, see, I remembered, I was mindful!). This is my translation, which I think is better than the literal one normally given, "I am by Your side, I remember, I watch." When they arrive, they fall on their knees, and they call Her, Najlepsza Matka - the Best Mother. I have been watching for months the facial expressions of people streaming to this Shrine. There is joy, there is faith, and there is a mystical certainty "of being in the right place." When they return, they return comforted, vowing to be back next year, gladly carrying in their hearts the Graces which they know their Mother put inside. And they sing beautiful songs in Her memory as they go back home. Even when abroad, thousands of miles away, sooner or later most Poles will attempt to return to this one of a kind Mecca of Christianity!
Jaga PolishSite Nothing is black and white. One country's terrorist is another country freedom fighter. Spy is either a hero or a traitor - depending where.
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #3 on Sept 11, 2007, 12:36pm »
I have always been attracted to Jasna Góra, but have never participated in a group pilgrimage. It just wasn't in the cards, and in life we deal with the cards we are dealt. I did apply one time to become a Pauline monk, which shows my attachment to Our Lady. But even this was not going to be, for after a one-year noviciate in Leśniów I had to return to the U.S. to complete my studies at Orchard Lake. But I did wear the white Pauline habit for a while, of which I am very proud, and since then, I have returned to Jasna Góra many times (including a daily visit for two consecutive years !), which is why I am so familiar with the pilgrimages and with the Shrine.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Female Posts: 368 Location: Poznan, Poland
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #6 on Sept 12, 2007, 4:31am »
I guess that all this effort of walking hundreds of kilometers is one of the crucial parts of the pilgrimages. When I say about pilgrimages I don't think of bus trips but walking for days.
I went twice from Poznan to Jasna Gora. I tell you later what it looks like in practice.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Female Posts: 4,368 Location: NY
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #7 on Sept 12, 2007, 7:37am »
Quote:
But pilgrims don`t go on foot like in Poland......
No they don't. Our pilgrims are not like your pilgrims. Your catholics are more devout and sacrificing than ours. The first time I heard of this was my cousin telling me of the pilgrimage at Easter time (the stations of the cross) at Kalwaria when we stopped there. I was amazed at this.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 95 Location: Upper Black Eddy, Pa.
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #8 on Sept 12, 2007, 7:39am »
Powian, I live near the Shrine in Doylestown Pennsylvania and a couple of weeks ago there were three groups that walked to the shrine here. They were from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York. It took several days but they walked the distance.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 95 Location: Upper Black Eddy, Pa.
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #9 on Sept 12, 2007, 7:48am »
Here is an article from our local newspaper on August 10. Thousands headed to shrine This weekend's pilgrimage to Our Lady of Czestochowa will celebrate a Polish Catholic tradition. Thousands of people are expected to gather at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in New Britain Township this weekend after a pilgrimage from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York in celebration of a Polish Catholic tradition.
Among those walking to the shrine are about 350 people from Philadelphia's St. Adalbert Church. That group will begin the two-day, 36-mile walk around 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the church on Allegheny Avenue in the Port Richmond section of the Author: Annie Tasker
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Female Posts: 368 Location: Poznan, Poland
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #13 on Sept 12, 2007, 3:37pm »
Before I'll go to sleep....
The first time I went to Jasna Gora was when I was almost 17, in high school. The pilgrimage set off from Poznan Cathedral always on July 6th. The people were divided into groups by parish churches, mostly. The distance of 300 km is covered in 10 days - the first three were the hardest of all. The pilgrims walked with only light luggage, some handy things like water, hankies, spare socks etc. The main luggage was transported by lorries to each finishing point. Every day started with the mass, then we walked on, saying rosary, singing, listening to sermons. We slept wherever we were invited to come - the parishes on the way welcomed the pilgrims with dinner and offered stay for the night - the conditions were very different, some of them made me humble - you could see the poverty, yet the hearts were open for us. The most difficult thing was the weather - never right, either too hot with sticky asphalt or raining cats and dogs. And blisters (we had all kinds of treating them ). I wanted to quit several times but survived. Entering Czestochowa and Jasna Gora itself is an unforgettable experience, you have to feel it for yourself
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 3,206 Location: Poe-land
Re: Pilgrimages to the Black Madonna « Reply #14 on Sept 12, 2007, 4:31pm »
Quote:
Powian, I live near the Shrine in Doylestown Pennsylvania and a couple of weeks ago there were three groups that walked to the shrine here. They were from Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York. It took several days but they walked the distance.
Great. I wonder if American law allows for such groups of people walking on a road.
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