In Poland, a light has always shone… - A Moment with Mary

* June 4 – First visit of Saint John Paul II to Poland, at Czestochowa (1979)  * In Poland, a light has always shone… --- An initiative of the Association Mary of Nazareth  June 4 – First visit of Saint John Paul II to Poland, at Czestochowa (1979)  In Poland, a light has always shone… Jasna Góra Monastery The monastery of Jasna Gora, near Czestochowa in Poland, dates from the 14th century. In the 17th century, as Poland attempted to expand to the east, a major counter-offensive led by the Russians and the Swedes ensued. Then, in 1655, the Virgin appeared to the religious of the monastery of Czestochowa who managed to repel the Swedes’ attack. On April 1st, 1656, the Polish King Casimir consecrated the country to Mary and proclaimed Our Lady of Czestochowa the Patroness of Poland. In the 20th century, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany. The German governor in Poland wrote in his diary: "At a time when Poland was completely submerged in darkness, a light always remained lit: the shrine of Czestochowa and the Church." At the end of the war, Poland regained its independence but with a communist government. It was then that Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, to mark the millennium of the evangelization of Poland, organized a house to house pilgrimage of a reproduction of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa. This event had a very strong popular impact and planted the seed of resistance to Communism. The Mary of Nazareth Team Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.   . Share A Moment with Mary and give your loved ones the opportunity to discover a new aspect of the mystery of the Mother of God each day.