aeternus

My dear Novena Secretary has once again come to my rescue to remind me of the Novena which starts today to Our Lady of Czestochowa. I took the photo above when she and I visited the Black Madonna Shrine here a couple of summers ago. I am sure it would be a wonderful time to visit the National Shrine in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and I am just sorry I was not able to make a visit there last month when I was visiting my family.

According to tradition, it is believed that Saint Luke the Evangelist is the original artist of this painting in which Mary is depicted holding the Christ Child. This sacred picture, enshrined and venerated at the renowned Marian Shrine in Poland, was brought from Jerusalem through Constantinople and was bestowed to the Princess of Ruthenia. It was brought to Poland in 1382 through the efforts of Ladislaus of Opole who discovered it in a castle at Belz. To ensure its protection, he invited the Monks of Saint Paul the first Hermit from Hungary to come to Poland to be the guardians of the Picture.

Now, there are several different Novena Prayers to Our Lady of Czestochowa which I found online and you can use. Click here for one and click here for the Pauline Father’s Novena Prayer (they maintain the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Pennsylvania. There is a nice collection of prayers here and a history on the Black Madonna.

Novena Prayer

Under your bejeweled mantle, I seek refuge Most Holy Immaculate Virgin and Mother. How sweet it is for me to venerate you under the title of Our Lady of Czestochowa and Queen of Jasna Gora.

We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God; despise not these our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

My most holy Mother, I behold the graces that you have already obtained for me, and the ingratitude that I have shown toward you. The thankless soul is no longer worthy of blessings, but not even on this account will I lose confidence in your mercy. O my mighty advocate have pity on me and obtain, I beseech you, this favor for me if it be for the glory of your Divine Son and the good of my soul.

(Pause and name the favor sought)

Speak for me, Queen of Jasna Gora. Your Son will do whatsoever you shall ask of Him. I beg you, take me under your protection and this is enough for me, to be one of your ever faithful servants. Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired
with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins my mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions; but in your clemency hear and answer me. Amen

O Mother of the Divine Infant in your arms, through your sacred image in Czestochowa you remind us of the constant presence of your Son and of your own motherly solicitude as a source of strength and courage in our daily trails, difficulties and labors.

we praise you and we love you.

O Queen whose image bears the scars of enemy attacks, you are to us a sign of hope, unity and victory,

we praise you and we love you.

O Virgin Helper, you aid us in ovecoming all evil and weakness,

we praise you and we love you.

When we are oppressed by doubts and temptations against faith,

be our help and our protection.

When we feel lonely, abandoned, and threatened,

be our help and protection.

When we are in danger of yielding to our evil habits and sins,

be our help and protection.

That you may strengthen us in faith and obatin for us the power to renew our lives in the spirit of God’s commandments and the Gospels of Christ,

we beseech you, O Lady of Jasna Gora, our Mother.

That you may continue to reign in our lives, on the personal, family , social and national levels.

we beseech you, O Lady of Jasna Gora, Our Mother

That you may obtain for us from your Son the special grace that we implore in this novena.

we beseech you, O Lady of Jasna Gora, our Mother.

O Almighty and merciful God, You gave the Polish Nation a wondrous help and defense in the most holy Virgin Mary and you honored her sacred image at Jasna Gora with remarkable veneration of the faithful. Grant in your mercy that under her protection, we may struggle confidently throughout our lives and, at the moment of death be victorious over our enemy.

We ask this grace in the name of Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Matko, ja kocham Cię
(Mother I love you!)