Wednesday in Czestochowa and traveling to Krakow

We started today in Czestochowa.  It is about 2 hours southwest of Warsaw.  The main purpose of this 18-hour stop was to visit Jasna Gora (a church/shrine for Our Lady of Czestochowa).  I had heard of the Black Madonna (Our Lady of Czestochowa), but didn’t really understand what that meant. 

Our Lady of Czestochowa is an icon of Mary and baby Jesus.  It was made by St. Luke on a table that was made by Jesus, when he was doing carpentry.  We first saw Our Lady of Czestochowa while having Mass in the little chapel she is in.  All 40 pilgrims squeezed inside for Mass.  We have a Polish pilgrim, and she read the first reading and the psalm in Polish.

I was ambivalent about going to Czestochowa.  Our Lady is well known and the patroness of Poland.  When I first sat down for Mass and looked up to Our Lady, I was mesmerized.  The painting almost looks like a wood carving.  There is a very decorative overlay to the painting (that has been changed throughout the years) that is very ornate and decorative.  But the face on this painting is just beautiful.  Just like you would envision mother Mary; holding her son close, patiently listening and holding many sorrows in her heart.  It was much more moving than I anticipated to have Mass in her chapel and pray there. 

The main church (Basilika) was also beautiful.  The altar was glorious statues of gold and white depicting the Assumption (Mary rising to heaven).  Everything was so light, so heavenly, really. 

There was also a really beautiful organ in the back of the church!

Dad and I had lunch with Gladys and Lenny today.  Not a fun Polish lunch of pierogis, kilbasa and sauerkraut – we had chicken, carrot salad and carrot cake.  (For our Polish family, I was excited to see “Kompote” on the menu, but it wasn’t a whole fruit salad, it was a fruit drink.  We passed on that.

We then left Czestochowa and headed to Krakow (another 2 hours by bus).  Driving through Poland is very beautiful.  Lots of green grass, rolling hills and often feels of a golden flower.

Upon arriving in Krakow we had a surprise.  We were able to visit the newly built Saint John Paul II shrine.  Most of the church structure is built, but the surrounding area, pilgrim house, etc. are not finished.  We said a rosary in the chapel, where there is a relic from JPII, as well as the “tombstone” from the Vatican.  I use tombstone loosely, as he is still buried in St. Peter’s.  However, in recent months his tomb was moved from the crypt (below) to the main sanctuary at St. Peter’s for all the pilgrims.  What is in Krakow is the tombstone from his grave in the crypt.

We then entered the medium-sized chapel, to view artwork that shows JPII’s pilgrimages.  It was beautiful, but unusual to see a space filled with so many pieces of art about the Pope.

We then went upstairs to the main sanctuary -  WOW!!!  It is nearly finished.  There are stone mosaics throughout the church, depicting events from Jesus’ life and the bible.  And they are HUGE!  I was astounded at the artistry. 

I was especially moved by the central mosaic, behind the altar.  There were three images of Jesus.  The central image was of His birth; Mary holding Jesus and the three wise men worshipping him.  St. John Paul II is near them, with his arm outstretched, showing you the way to Christ.  It was a beautiful image of what the Pope does; lead us to Christ.

We are now at our last hotel for the trip.  Dinner is to be a buffet – I am hoping for sauerkraut, pierogis, kilbasa and sledgie!  (I had sledgie for breakfast in Warsaw, yum!!)

Love to all at home.  Know that you are all in our prayers each and every day.