National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa facts for kids
Shrine pictured from northeast, 2011
|
|
| Location | Doylestown, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Designer | George Szeptycki |
| Type | Shrine |
| Beginning date | 1953 |
| Opening date | June 26, 1955 |
| Dedicated to | Black Madonna of Częstochowa |
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa is a special Catholic place near Doylestown, Pennsylvania. People also call it the American Czestochowa. It was started in 1953. Inside, you can find a copy of the famous Black Madonna painting from Częstochowa, Poland. The heart of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, who was Poland's third prime minister, is also kept here.
Contents
Discovering the Shrine's History
How the Shrine Began
In 1953, a Polish monk named Father Michael M. Zembrzuski bought some land. He wanted to build a chapel near Doylestown. This chapel would honor the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. This painting is Poland's most important religious icon. Father Michael wanted to help Polish-Americans feel connected to their Polish Catholic heritage.
The Archbishop of Philadelphia, John Francis O'Hara, gave permission. An old barn was turned into the first chapel. It was later moved and officially opened on June 26, 1955.
Building the Main Church
The chapel became a larger shrine in 1966. This was to celebrate Poland's 1,000th birthday as a nation. The new shrine was officially opened on October 16, 1966. Archbishop John Krol led the ceremony. President Lyndon B. Johnson and his family were special guests.
The main part of the new shrine was a church building. It was designed by a Polish-American architect, George Szeptycki. This church holds the copy of the Black Madonna painting.
Important Visitors to the Shrine
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II, visited the shrine twice. His first visit was in 1969. He came back in 1976 when he was attending a big church meeting in Philadelphia.
Adding More to the Shrine Grounds
Over the years, more buildings and areas were added. These include a Polish-American cemetery. This cemetery has monuments for important people. There are memorials for Poland's third prime minister, Ignacy Paderewski. There are also monuments for the Polish-Lithuanian hussars (brave soldiers). Another memorial honors the victims of the Katyń massacres.
The cemetery also has graves for members of the Polish Veterans of World War II. A monastery and a visitor center were also built. The inside of the lower church was changed. It now looks like the original Jasna Góra shrine in Poland. There is also an outdoor path with the Stations of the Cross.
Activities and Celebrations
Annual Events at the Shrine
One of the biggest celebrations is the annual feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This happens every year on August 26. After this, there is an annual Polish Festival. This festival takes place every Labor Day weekend.
Since 1988, people have made an annual pilgrimage. They walk from the Church of Ss. Peter and Paul in Great Meadows, New Jersey. Thousands of people also take part in an outdoor Rosary candlelight procession. This special event happens on October 7, which is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Pauline Fathers and Brothers manage the shrine. They also manage the original shrine in Poland.
See also
In Spanish: Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Czestochowa para niños
- Black Madonna Shrine, Missouri
- List of shrines#United States
