(4 Jun 1997) Eng/Polish/Nat
Pope John Paul the Second on Wednesday visits the Black Madonna - one of the most cherished symbols of the Catholic Church in Poland.
This ancient icon, housed in a monastery in the south of the country, is believed to have the power to work miracles.
For centuries, the Black Madonna was a powerful symbol of Polish nationalism - it was used by the Pope himself to rally anti-Communist sentiment in the late 1970s and 1980s.
They come by their (m) millions every year from all over the country - the Polish faithful eager to pay their respects to Poland's most revered Christian icon.
Each day, hundreds cram into the Jasna Gora Monastery in the southern city of Czestochowa to kneel down before a fading image - the Black Madonna.
This is what all the fuss is about - a dark Virgin and child which legend holds is painted on a plank from Jesus' family table in Nazareth.
The Madonna's famous dark complexion is believed to be a result of centuries of exposure to incense and candle smoke.
Poles see the Black Madonna as their protector.
In 1430, the story goes, the Virgin's image shed blood after being slashed by thieves frustrated at being unable to carry their treasure away.
In the following centuries, the icon was credited with helping the Poles to beat back invading Swedes and Russians.
More recently, Pope John Paul the Second and the Catholic Church of Poland used the Black Madonna to rally anti-Communist sentiment in the late 1970s and 1980s.
The Black Madonna still has a huge symbolic importance for the Poles who come to the Jasna Gora Monastery to pray each year.
SOUNDBITE: (Polish)
"Every Catholic, every Pole, for us this is the heart of our nation, Jasna Gora, here is our Queen, our mother. She takes care of our Pope and especially during these days of pilgrimages."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
These days, people still believe in the Black Madonna's miracle-working capabilities.
Dozens of crutches and braces adorn the wall of the church - a testament to the many who claim to have been healed by her power.
The Madonna has special meaning for the Pope who, on nearly all his visits to Poland, stopped to pray before her image.
SOUNDBITE: (Polish)
"The Pope has come here since he was a child. He is completely Marian - in his coat of arms it says Totus Tuus - all yours Mary. In general, he always comes here. The most important things he resolves in front of the altar of the Madonna."
SUPER CAPTION: Sister Bonita, Nun
For centuries, the Black Madonna has been cared for by monks at the Jasna Gora, or "Luminous Mountain", Monastery.
Father Jan Berny says the Madonna occupies an important place in the Pope's heart.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our Lady is important for every Polish people, every Polish man and also for the Pope. He unite his priesthood with Our Lady. And after his election the Pope told Cardinal Wyzinski that there wouldn't be a Polish Pope if there wasn't our Lady of Jasna Gora."
SUPER CAPTION: Father Jan Berny, Jasna Gora Monastery
Wherever there is a national shrine - not far away are the souvenir stands.
Their numbers have increased in anticipation of the Pope's arrival but there's no doubting the popularity of Poland's very own Black Madonna.
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