The Black Madonna of Czestochowa
The Black Madonna of Częstochowa ( Polish : Czarna Madonna or Matka Boska Częstochowska , Latin : Imago thaumaturga Beatae Virginis Mariae Immaculatae Conceptae, in Claro Monte ), also known as Our Lady of Częstochowa , is a revered icon of the Virgin Mary housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa , Poland . Several Pontiffs have recognised the venerated icon, beginning with Pope Clement XI who issued a Canonical Coronation to the image on 8 September 1717 via the Vatican Chapter. * History Lucan tradition The icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa has been intimately associated with Poland for the past 600 years. Its history prior to its arrival in Poland is shrouded in numerous legends which trace the icon's origin to St. Luke who painted it on a cedar table top from the house of the Holy Family . [4] [5] The same legend holds that the painting was discovered in Jerusalem in 326 by St. Helena , who brought it back to Constantinople and prese