For years, I have been fascinated with the Black Madonna. There are hundreds of images of black Virgins all over the world. The one I know best is Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland, the homeland of my ancestors. There is a shrine to her there, and also near my home in Pennsylvania. I have read about these Madonnas in Ean Begg’s The Cult of the Black Virgin. Begg describes them as vestiges of goddess worship, pagan images that were taken over by the Church in ancient times.
And so when my husband and I traveled to Barcelona last month, the Madonna at Montserrat Abbey was on my list of must dos. Our tour guide told us her face and hands were black from soot caused by years of lighted candles, and that after trying and failing to “clean her up” the monks decided to just paint her black. The Matka Boska Czestochowa was also explained to me that way – too many candles, too much soot. She plays a role in my forthcoming novel, Where the Stork Flies, directing and guiding the characters behind the scenes.
Why is it so hard to accept the idea of a black woman as Madonna? Many stories have been written of black goddesses who became figures of the Virgin Mary to ease the “conversion” of people from their pagan practices to the Catholic faith. It’s very likely the same reason Christmas coincides with the winter solstice, though we have no proof of Christ’s actual birth date on December 25th.
Change is hard for people, and always has been. One of the reasons we love our holiday traditions is because they remind us of good times past and tie us to people we loved who shared them with us. We decide that the way it was is the way it should always be. What our elders taught us must be true. But what if what they were taught, and passed on to us, has a little more nuance? Wouldn’t it open our hearts and minds to let in some other interpretations? Does it make sense that the robes of the many black Madonnas were not darkened by candle soot, only her skin?
It’s a custom to touch the Montserrat Virgin’s hand and ask for a favor. Though she is behind glass now, her hand is exposed for the thousands of people who touch it every year. I made a wish too, but for someone else. I have pretty much everything I need.
What’s your story? Have you ever questioned something you were taught? Share in the comments and I’ll put your name in the drawing for a copy of Sold on a Monday, by Kristina McMorris, the story of a 1930’s newspaperman whose attempt to help poor children causes unintended consequences.
The winner of last month’s drawing is Emily Labows. She wins a copy of The Heirs by Fran Hawthorne. Thanks for adding to the discussion, Emily!
Linda C. Wisniewski 
6 responses to “The Black Madonna”
Hi Linda,
I live close by you in Pipersville PA. I would like to write a memoir and read somewhere you teach how to begin etc. Do you still provide this service?
Warm Regards, Jackie Jbbancroft1968@yahoo.com
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Hi, Jackie! I’m happy you’re interested in writing a memoir. It’s one of the most rewarding things we can do. I teach locally at the Pearl Buck Writing Center: https://pearlsbuck.org/writing-center/ Registration for my next class begins in January. Hope to see you there! And feel free to message me with any questions: lindawis46@gmail.com. That goes for anybody else too! 😉
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Thank you for your post, Linda. I also live in the area of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. What I learn from attendance there for Masses and contemplation for the past ten years is that we can grow in prayer, beyond our imaginations. I became Catholic in my thirties and that is a long story but to do so, to answer your question, I relearned some approaches about Christianity. For example, the communion of saints in our prayer lives came to life for me; especially the presence of the collection of personal effects of and large statue of the Polish Pope, Saint John Paul 2 at the Shrine is beyond remarkable! Many wonderful outcomes in my walk with our Lord continue to inspire by this landmark in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA! Good to know, Linda that you are at the Pearl Buck Writing Center. I also aspire to write memoirs of various stages of my life. Will keep your class in mind for future reference. Best regards! Jane {blog here is on back burner for now}
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Hi, Jane, thanks for sharing your experience at the Shrine. Please do write about your life, and I’d be honored if you chose to attend my classes. I’ll check out your blog…a good way, I find, to keep a writing practice going. All best wishes to you!
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Hi Linda!
Trying again to reply!
This made me think of being a little girl and dreaming of Sant Claus coming to leave me presents under the tree! My parents did everything they could to make Christmas a special time for my 2 brothers and I, even though money was very tight. I know some parents today don’t feel telling their children to believe in Santa is a good thing and they don’t want to mislead them. But what believing in Santa did for me, is to celebrate the season of giving and even when I learned the “truth” about Santa, I still, even today, feel the wonder of Christmas and the birth of our Lord. Even now, watching the snow quietly laying outside, it brings the love and giving of Christmas time into my heart. I am grateful to my parents for giving us that “wonder” during the holiday season!
Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
Debbie
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I agree, Debbie, there is something magical and “wonder”full about this time of year. Lovely thoughts about your parents and Santa! Thanks for persevering with WordPress and getting your post on here!
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