Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Black Madonna of Czestochowa

Ready for today's lesson, kids?

On Sunday we visited the Black Madonna of Czestochowa.
This is pronounced like this: Chess Ta Ho Va.
NOT: "Check Ta Cow Wa" with lots of Southern-extra syllables.
Or your friend who speaks fluent Polish will laugh in your face. 
The "W's" in Polish are pronounced like a "V." 
Mrs. Carroll and I were unclear why they couldn't just put a "V" then instead of a "W."
Among other things in their language.

I digress.

Okay, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa is also called the Queen and Protector of Poland, because she miraculously saved the monastery of Jasna Gora from a 17th century Swedish invasion.

She is venerated by the Polish and thousands of Catholics make a pilgrimmage each year to come worship her.  On Sunday we were lucky enough to visit during a Catholic mass, and even though I'm not Catholic, it was still really cool to witness their reverance towards her. 



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