Midwest Mary

One of my mother’s favorite treasures was this inlaid work of art of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The piece was a gift from a friend who brought it home from a trip to Poland. I received it from my father after my mother passed away. The artwork is a replica of the image of Our Lady found in the monastery of Jasna Gora in the town of Czestochowa.

Following is an excerpt from my book, Grieving with Mary, that explains the attraction to what is known as black Madonnas, of which the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is one of the most famous examples.

Please remember that true Marian devotion always leads us closer to the Trinity. Mary is a saint, a human person who followed God’s call. We can ask her to pray for us, as with anyone else. She does not answer prayers but rather requests those answers from her son. All the glory and thanksgiving belong to God.

Nor do we honor the statue, painting, or other work of art. These artifacts are like photos of our loved ones. When we look at a photo, we know it is not the person but rather a reminder of them.

*

“Intrigue and awe surround the icons, paintings, and sculptures depicting Mary with dark skin, known as black Madonnas. Legends tell of statues that are carved by heavenly hands and black Madonnas surviving devastating fires and vandalism. In general, black Madonnas are believed to offer protection to armies and cities from invasion and special graces and blessings to those who come in their presence to honor Mary.

When in need, pilgrims venture long distances to pray to Mary in areas where these pieces of art are found. They feel that being close to the artwork brings them closer to Mary and her blessings. This reassurance of her devotion to us, along with our devotion to her, results in great comfort and many answered prayers. Believers feel traveling to these particular types of artwork to be an essential step to take when suffering life’s many traumas.

Some of the older Madonnas are recognized by the public as channels for miracles. Reproductions of them are considered just as powerful as originals. You will find the most well-known black Madonnas scattered throughout the world, from Our Lady of the Hermits in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, to Our Lady of Kazan in Russia, in addition to those in churches, shrines, and private homes worldwide.

Black Madonna statues are typically about three feet high with varying degrees of artistic sophistication. In most, Mary is seated with the Christ child on her lap. Both mother and son face forward. Often, Jesus’ hand is raised in blessing and Mary is adorned with a crown.

Thrones of Wisdom are black Madonnas that contain compartments in the back or neck to hold relics. The Black Madonna of Chartres, France holds what many believe is Mary’s tunic. Another sculpture known as Le Puy is alleged to carry her slippers.

Many of the black Madonnas were originally intended to be dark-skinned. The artist most likely believed that Mary’s skin tone was truly that shade, or the artwork was painted black in reference to the Hebrew interpretation of the Old Testament’s Song of Song phrase, “black am I and beautiful.” There also is some speculation that they were designed to replace the dark pagan goddesses displayed on pagan shrines. Other black Madonnas originally were light-skinned but darkened over time due to paint oxidation, aging, and the accumulation of smoke and soot.

In previous centuries there was a public preference for dark virgins over light ones. When the black Madonna of Einsiedeln was taken from Switzerland to Austria in 1798 to protect it from invaders, the statue was cleaned and restored to its original light-skin tones. The restoration created such a surprising public outrage that it had to be repainted black.”

–Excerpt from Grieving with Mary. Finding Comfort and Healing in Devotion to the Mother of God

©2024, Mary K. Doyle