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Polish Parishes Renew Consecration on Today Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa Continue festivities for 1,050th anniversary of nation’s baptism August 26, 2016ZENIT StaffMary and Mariology L'Osservatore Romano Poland’s Primate, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, presided over today’s celebrations of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Czestochowa at Jasna Gora. In his homily, the Primate noted that, with this celebration, we are, in a certain way, prolonging the joy of May’s Solemnity of Our Lady, Queen of Poland, when, on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of Poland’s Baptism, we renewed our consecration to the Mother of the Redeemer.“Today’s Solemnity of Our...

The Stories of Our Lady of Czestochowa Sarah ReinhardI never wanted to be a mom. It was never in my goals or my plan for life.And yet here I am, watching my three-year-old “mow”as I type away in the comfort of a camp chair in the shade of the garage. Right now this kid is the focus of most of my photos and social media efforts. He’s immensely quotable, hilarious, and spontaneous. It’s something that I can’t help but share (lest it drive me crazier than I already am).But don’t get me wrong. Three is not my favorite age. And...

Our Lady of Czestochowa Saint Luke the Evangelist, according to tradition, is believed to be the original artist of this painting in which Mary is depicted holding the Christ Child. This sacred picture, enshrined and venerated at the renowned Marian Shrine in Poland, was first brought from Jerusalem through Constantinople and was bestowed to the Princess of Ruthenia. It was brought to Poland in 1382 through the efforts of Ladislaus of Opole who had discovered it in a castle at Belz. To ensure its protection, he invited the Monks of Saint Paul the First Hermit from Hungary to be its...

USAREUR Soldiers march in Polish pilgrimage By Spc. Matthis Chiroux U.S. Army, Europe, Public Affairs Soldiers from six NATO countries form together, signaling the end of a 10-day, 180-mile march in Poland. Spc. Matthis Chiroux POLAND (Army News Service, Aug. 14, 2006) – Every year, hundreds of thousands of Polish pilgrims – including members of the armed forces – trudge along rolling roads and muddy pathways to pay tribute to the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. This year, they asked some of their closest neighbors and allies to tag along. Polish Land Forces invited 50 U.S. Southern European Task Force Soldiers...

What a glorious trip! – Pilgrimage to Czestochowa Who? 5 thousand young people. What? Catholic pedestrian pilgrimage. When? August the 5th-14th, each year, tradition since AD. 1712. Where? Poland, 160 miles (300 km) between Warsaw and Czestochowa, Black Madonna Shrine. Why? Love of God and Blessed Mother Mary; prayer, community, expiation. Praise the Lord!! Amazing! Incredible! And unbelievable! What a glorious trip! This had to be one of the most awesome times I have ever experienced in carrying the cross around the world! In August 2005, with God's help, I had the great joy of traveling with two of my...

Tens of thousands of Roman Catholics gathered at Poland's holiest shrine Friday to pray as the revered Black Madonna of Czestochowa icon was given a new covering, including gold crowns donated by the late Pope John Paul II, as well as amber and diamonds.The Polish-born pontiff's secretary, the Rev. Stanislaw Dziwisz, presided over a Mass and other ceremonies at the Jasna Gora shrine in the southern city of Czestochowa. In attendance were dozens of church leaders, including Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne, Germany, Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit and Cardinal Bernard Law, the former archbishop of Boston.Dziwisz and Poland's primate,...

What? Catholic pedestrian pilgrimage. Who? 5 thousand young people. When? 5th-14th August each year Where? 300 km in Poland, between Warsaw and Czestochowa, Black Madonna Shrine. Why? Love of God and Blessed Mother Mary; prayer, community, expiation. The route of the pilgrimage is more or less 300 km (daily walk of 30-35 km), regardless of the rain or the sun. Piglrimage bypasess big cities; our way leads through some villages, forests, open fields. Night's lodging is your own tent. Our bags and tents during the day are transported by the tracks. No smoking, no alcohol, no co-education, no drugs, no...

Polish pilgrims' trek shows faith Pilgrimage honoring Holy Mother inspires scores to set example Photo GalleryA line of footsteps, extending through history from the villages of rural Poland to the immigrant neighborhoods of urban America, continued unbroken for the 17th year with this month's pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.Instead of traveling to the original church in Czestochowa, Poland, to pay homage to the Holy Mother, those living in the United States have adapted the ancient tradition of pilgrimage by walking each year from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.From Aug. 12-15, the four-day, 56-mile trek from Great Meadows...

During the Holy Week I had the good fortune to be in Krakow and felt greatly alighted with the behaviour of the nationals and the pilgrims. Roman-Catholic sanctuaries are Poland's landmarks. The followers of other faiths have their sanctuaries in many places around the country. Often called the spiritual capital of Poland, Czestochowa has drawn pilgrims and tourists from across the world. They flock to Poland's national shrine, the Marian shrine located in the Pauline Monastery on Jasna Gora in Czestochowa. A visit to the Monastery of Jasna Gora includes the majestic Basilica, the miraculous Black Madonna Shrine, the 600th...

I am giving a speech tomorrow and need to know how to pronounce "Czestochowa" as in, "The Shrine of the Czestochowa." The part of the speech is below. It's a great story that shows that the relationship between Poland and the US is indeed heartfelt:Born in Poland in 1860, the legendary pianist, composer, and one-time President of Poland, toured the United States several times during his life. And as in World War I, Paderewski stayed the United States to wait out the war in Europe. After arriving in the US in December 1940 at the age of 80, he performed...