Area Polish community to gather for Pittsburgh event
The western Pennsylvania Polish community will gather in Pittsburgh on Thursday, Aug. 26, at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland for a special commemoration of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, known as the Black Madonna and the Queen of Poland. The observance will include the celebration of Mass at 7 p.m. by Bishop David Zubik of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, followed by a community reception.
The events are sponsored by the Polish Falcons of America, one of the nation’s largest ethnic fraternal organizations, in cooperation with the Polish Clergy Association of Pittsburgh and neighboring dioceses of Greensburg and Altoona-Johnstown.
Long regarded as the patroness of Polish immigrants in the United States, the Black Madonna is a revered image that has borne witness to Poland’s triumphs as well as tragedies for nearly a millennium.
Our Lady of Czestochowa was declared the Queen of Poland by royal decree of King Jan Casimir in 1656 after the Polish nation overturned a brutal attack by invading Swedish forces.
Seen as a key event in Poland’s history, tradition attributes the Polish victory to the holy portrait.
Synonymous with Polish faith and patriotism, the dark-skinned image bears several slash marks on the cheek, evidence of repeated but unsuccessful attempts at theft and desecration by foreign invaders.
Patroness of Poland, the Black Madonna is highly revered by Poles and Polish-Americans and was a special subject of devotion by Pope John Paul II.
More information on the event can be obtained at www.polishfalcons.org or by e-mailing tshoemaker@polishfalcons.org or by calling the Polish Falcons at 412-922-2244.