Poland marks 300th anniversary of Coronation of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Many events are being planned throughout this year in Poland to celebrate the Jubilee of the crowning of the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Last month (15 December) the Polish Parliament adopted a resolution declaring 2017 a Jubilee year. Pope Clement XI canonically crowned the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa on September 8, 1717.

The Jubilee began with a special Mass at Jasna Góra monastery, where the Icon is kept, celebrated by Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki on 8 September 2016.

On December 8, a plenary indulgence was granted by Pope Francis which can be granted to all pilgrims who visit and pray at the Shrine of Jasna Gora.

Last July Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Shrine on the 1,050th anniversary of Poland's becoming a Catholic nation. In his homily, the Holy Father said: "At Cana, as here in Jasna Góra, Mary offers us her nearness and helps us to discover what we need to live life to the full....Now as then, She does this with a mother's love, by Her presence and counsel, teaching us to avoid hasty decisions and grumbling in our communities. As the Mother of a family, She wants to keep us together."

Father Marian Waligóra, superior of the monastery, commented that the Polish parliament's resolution acknowledges "the achievements of this place in the history of the whole of our land, the importance of Jasna Góra as a place in our history and religious centre for the whole Church and all Catholics."

Visit the official site of the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa here: www.jasnagora.pl/

See Pope Francis in Czestochowa: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh8-512_XRM