We watched the sun rise as we ran up the hill to see the unveiling of Our Lady of Czestechowa (spelling?) at 6 am to the fanfare of trumpets and the music of Polish voices lifted up in prayer.
After the brief but significant ceremony we left the crowd behind and discovered a huge outdoor altar... it looked like it was held up by ship's rigging.
Anna after a morning cup of coffee.
Good morning Peter!
The place we breakfasted at.
A statue of Pope John Paul II's mentor.
Later we returned to Czestechowa for Mass and prayer. There was a pilgrim's path around the wall and behind the altar that housed the miraculous image of the Black Madonna.
Our Lady of Czestechowa. This miraculous image was painted by Saint Luke himself, backed by the wood of the Holy Family's table, and is under the charge of the Pauline Fathers at Jasna Gora. Over the centuries Jasna Gora has withstood many attacks with the protection of Our Lady. She bears the wounds of two arrows on her cheek and a slash across her neck.
Next to the image of Mary is JPII's bloodstained sash from the attempt on his life.
Anna, Heather and I tried to get a group picture... my timer went off too soon. Heather got a better one ;-D
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