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Marian Images in History and Culture

While the Virgin of Czestochowa has a pre-eminent place in Polish Spirituality, History and Culture, other images of the Blessed Virgin Mary hold spiritual, historical, and cultural significance.  Click the following links to learn more.

Mother of Mercy, Ostra Brama,
Virgin of Licheń, Suffering Queen of Poland,
Our Lady of Calvary

Mother of Mercy, Ostra Brama
Matka Boża Miłosierna - Ostrobramska

Litwo! Ojczyzno moja! ty jesteś jak zdrowie
Ile cię trzeba cenić, ten tylko się dowie,
Kto cię stracił. Dziś piękność twą w całej ozdobie
Widzę i opisuję, bo tęsknię po tobie.

Panno święta, co Jasnej bronisz Częstochowy
I w Ostrej świecisz Bramie! Ty, co gród zamkowy
Nowogródzki ochraniasz z jego wiernym ludem!

-- Pan Tadeusz, KSIĘGA I, Adam Mickiewicz

One of the most popular Marian shrines of Eastern Europe is found in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. 

The history of Our Lady of the Dawn, who is also known as Our Lady of Ostra Brama, begins in 1386. In that year prince Władysław Jagiełło (1351 - 1434) of Lithuania married the Polish princess Jadwiga. As part of the contact for marriage Jagiełło pledged the conversion of the Lithuanian people to Christianity.  The marriage resulted in the joining of Poland and Lithuania into a Commonwealth of Nations.  With the advent of Christianity, Marian devotions were introduced by princess Jadwiga.  The people of Lithuania welcomed these devotions and pious practices with open arms.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (or The Commonwealth of the Two Nations, Rzeczpospolita Oboja Narodów in Polish) was a federal monarchy-republic formed by the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, between 1569 and 1795, which was governed by an elected monarch.

The name "Poland" was commonly used to described the whole country, the members of the commonwealth were called:

• The Crown of the Polish Kingdom (Poland proper);
• The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, colloquially Lithuania;
• The Duchy of Ruthenia
• Duchy of Prussia or Ducal Prussia (1525–1657 as a fief of Poland) Note that two Prussias existed beside each other: Royal Prussia was held by the king of Poland, who also was the feudal lord of Ducal Prussia.

Early in the fifteenth century, the new city walls of Vilnius were built. Above each of the gates the people of the town placed an image of the Blessed Virgin. About a century later, the Carmelite Order took over one of the parish churches in the vicinity of the southeastern gate of the town. In the Lithuanian language this gate was commonly known as 'Auros Vartai' (the gate of dawn). The Polish speaking population knew it as 'Ostra Brama' (the sharp gate).

The Carmelites are known for their special dedication to the Mother of Jesus. They took special care of the image that was placed above the gate near their church (according to new research, the painting was created in Vilnius between 1620 and 1630 by an unknown artist. It was part of a folding diptych, a two-part painting, showing Christ the Savior on the inside and the Mother of God on the outside).

When the army of Moscow set fire to the city of Vilnius in 1655, most of the town was destroyed. The fire lasted seventeen days. However, the image above the Ostra Brama gate survived without any damage. This strongly encouraged the people’s devotion toward it and attracted many pilgrims.

In 1711 the Chapel holding the image burned completely, but not before the miraculous painting was carried out of the fire by a young monk. For 20 years, the painting resided in the Church of St. Teresa. A new Chapel was subsequently built by the gate and the miraculous painting was reinstalled with great ceremony.

In the year 1761, the Carmelite Father Rosciszewski published "The Story of The Miraculous Painting".

During the Insurrection of 1794, Russia, Germany, and Austria attacked Poland and Lithuania in order to suppress freedoms found in the Constitution of May 3rd. During the battle of Vilnius the image and the Chapel were damaged. The damage was fixed the same year.  In 1796 the Chapel was renovated once again.

The worship of the miraculous painting continued to grow.  In 1799 Russian forces began to destroy the walls and gates of Vilnius.  Inexplicably the Ostra Brama gate was left untouched.

The invocation in Mickiewicz's epic poem Pan Tadeusz, "To The Holy Virgin Shining in Sharp Gate", published in 1834 tremendously popularized the worship of the image.

An old chronicle reports that between 1671 and 1761 seventeen (17) miracles took place through the intercession of Our Lady of Ostra Brama . There is one story about a boy who fell from the second floor of a building and was killed. When his mother went to pray before the icon of Our Lady of Ostra Brama, the boy was brought back to life.

In 1927, after the renovation of the painting and the chapel, a formal ceremony was held in front of the Cathedral of Vilnius in which the icon was crowned.

The chapel was renovated in 1931-1932. During the Second World War and the Nazi German occupation of Lithuania the Archbishop of Vilnius decided that the miraculous picture should stay in the town. During the Russian communist occupation of Lithuania the chapel of Ostra Brama remained open.

The Mother of Mercy is a powerful symbol in the struggle for Polish and Lithuanian independence and prayers asking Her intercession as well as pilgrimages to Her shrine continue to be popular.

Virgin of Licheń, Suffering Queen of Poland
Matka Boża Licheńska, Bolesna Królowa Polski

The Icon of the Virgin Mary from Licheń was painted in oil on a larch board (6.3 x 9.1" 16 x 23 cm). Mary has a White Eagle on her breast instead of the Child, and she is directing her closed eyes towards it. The face of Mary is dignified, majestic, and denotes suffering.  The symbols of the Passion of Christ are found on her golden coat including: a thorn, crown, ships, nails, and a spear. Two angels support the Queen's crown. Below the image is the inscription: "Queen of Poland - Give Freedom to Our Days"

An analysis of the painting shows that it was probably painted in 1772.

The history of the image dates back to 1813.  During a battle near Leipzig, among the Polish soldiers fighting under Napoleon, was Tomasz Kłossowski, who was seriously injured. Facing death, he began an earnest invocation to the Holy Virgin begging her not to let him die in a foreign land. According to the legend, Our Lady was revealed to him in the light of the crimson sun setting over the battlefield. She was wearing the crown, an amaranth dress and a golden mantle, and hugging a white eagle - the symbol of Poland. The Virgin Mary comforted the soldier and foretold he would recover and return to his motherland. She also told him to find a picture of her and place it in public place in his homeland. The healed soldier returned to his home near Licheń.

Year after year he wandered about various sanctuaries seeking out the miraculous image of Our Lady. In 1836 he eventually found the image in Lgota - a village on his way back from a pilgrimage to Częstochowa. Initially he placed the portrait in his own house, and then hung it up on an old pine tree in the nearby forest.

In 1850 the Holy Virgin was revealed to a shepherd, Mikołaj Sikatka, who was pasturing cattle near the portrait previously hung in the forest. In her proclamation Our Lady summoned people to reformation. She exhorted them to pray the rosary and to honor the Lord's Day. She also postulated for moving her portrait to a more dignified place. She promised that those who earnestly prayed before it would escape death during the plague which was to be the punishment for the absence of repentance among sinners. The Holy Virgin predicted the formation of the sanctuary and the monastery in Licheń, from which her glory would flow. Mikołaj, the poor shepherd started to expound Our Lady's message but he was persecuted and imprisoned by Russian authorities. Two years later when, according to the Virgin's prophecy, a cholera epidemic occurred the people remembered the warning conveyed by the shepherd. People thronged to the Holy Virgin to kneel before her portrait and pray.  It was said that the sick recovered and the dying recuperated. Thus the cult of Our Lady in the miraculous image originated.

The revelation was examined by a special Episcopal committee of the Roman Catholic Church. At the request of the parish priest, Florian Kosiński, the committee decided to move the portrait to the parish church in Licheń. A celebration took place on 29 September 1852 and was attended by 80,000 pilgrims.  By 1939, 3,000 various acts of grace, including many miraculous recoveries were recorded.

During World War II both the church and the presbytery were turned into a seat of the German Nazi Youth Organization. The portrait was removed from the church and hidden, and thus escaped destruction.

After the Second World War the parish in Licheń started restoring the sanctuary. Throughout the process communist authorities tried to prevent the work using the criminal court, lawsuits, persecution, and harassment of pilgrims.

The Shrine at Licheń has since become a major pilgrimage destination.

Our Lady of Calvary
Matki Bożej Kalwaryjskiej

The shrine of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of the most often visited pilgrimage sites in Poland.  More than a million pilgrims visit the shrine every year.

The Shrine has a twofold purpose.  Firstly, the shrine is dedicated to reflection on the Passion and Death of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  In fact, the most frequented event is the celebration of the Holy Week liturgies at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.  The second purpose is reflection on the dormition and triumph of Our Lady.

The Sanctuary in Kalwaria is situated on the slopes of Lanckorona mountain (at 530m) and the Żar mountain (at 572m) and is approximately 44km south west of the city of Krakow, Poland. The Sanctuary comprises a baroque basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, a Franciscan monastery and of a group of churches and chapels in baroque and mannerist style located on 6 square kilometers and surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Beskidy mountains. The whole complex resembles the holy places in Jerusalem via its topographic and architectural composition. Thus it is said to be a specific copy of Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa with its chapels established to reflect upon the Passion of Christ and on Our Lady’s Life.

The sanctuary was founded by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, Governor of Krakow in 1602.  He entrusted the sanctuary to the care of Franciscan Order of Friars Minor (OFM - who are informally called Bernardines in Poland). The first OFM monks came to Kalwaria in 1604 when the building of the church and the monastery began.

The first re-enactment of Our Lord's Passion, based on the annual re-enactment in Jerusalem, was held in 1607.  The Bishop of Krakow, Piotr Tylicki, consecrated the church dedicated to the name Our Lady of the Angels on the 4th of October 1609.

The creation of Passion sanctuaries and copies of Mount Calvary across Europe began in the 15th century.  The first was created between 1405-1420 in Spain, near Cordoba based on the initiative of a Dominican - Alwarus.  Shortly thereafter these recreations appeared in Germany (Lübeck in 1468) and in Italy (Sacro Monte near Verallo in 1493).  These sanctuaries were establish as a response to the increase in common piety at the end of the Middle Ages and based upon the difficulties pilgrims faced in reaching Jerusalem, which was recaptured by the Turks.  After the Council of Trent (1545-1563) the devotion towards these sanctuaries was renewed and more were established.  They were founded in great numbers in the 17th and 18th centuries in Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and also in Poland.  Other Polish passion sanctuaries were created at Pakosc (1668), Wejherowo (1649), Kalwaria Paslawska (1668), and Góra św. Anny (beginning of 18th century).

Mikołaj Zebrzydowski commissioned a priest, Feliks Zebrowski, who was a mathematician and astronomer to establish the layout of the Calvary re-creation.  Zebrowski measured the area for the future chapels.

While the distances covered were longer than in Jerusalem, they were dealt with in such a way so that the locations of chapels in accord with the overall proportions of Jerusalem, but on a larger scale.   Paul Baudarth was commissioned to design the chapels and he supervised the building himself. The chapels were built between 1605 and 1617, in the following order: Pilate's Praetorium, Christ’s Sepulcher, Gethsemane, The Seizure, Annas’ House, Caiaphas’ House, Herod’s Palace, Our Lady’s Tomb, Our Lady’s Hut, Bearing the Cross, The Assumption, Last Supper Room, Maria’s Heart, 2nd Fall (Western Gate), St. Ralph, and The Hermitage of Five Polish Brothers with a chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.

After Mikołaj Zebrzydowski’s death in 1620 the work was continued by his son, Jan, who, in the years 1623 through 1641, built five additional Passion chapels (Eastern Gate, The Kidron Chapel, 1st Fall of Jesus Christ, The Cyrenian, and Veronica), eight Marian chapels (1632): four of Mary’s Dormition and four of Mary’s Triumph. He also rebuilt and enlarged the chapels erected by his father: The Crucifixion (1623) and Mary’s Tomb (ca 1623). Jan also built the so called “Gradusy” (steps) next to Pilate’s Praetorium (1633) and the Chapel of The Discovery of the Holy Cross as part of St. Helen’s hermitage (1623-1632).

Jan’s son, Michał Zebrzydowski continued the work. It was due to him that the monastery was enlarged on the northern side (1654-1655) and that the chapel at the southern wall of the church (today’s presbytery) was added to hold the miraculous image of Our Lady. The chapel is believed to be one of the most beautiful architectural objects in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. After the death of Michał Zebrzydowski the Czartoryski family inherited the care over Kalwaria and made additional improvements.

The Commemoration of the Passion of Christ is focused on the Way of the Cross along the "Avenues of Jesus Christ’ Passion" and the celebrations that occur during Holy Week.  Marian devotion is focused on the chapels along "Our Lady’s Avenues", the  annual commemoration procession during the dual feasts of Our Lady's Dormition and Triumph, and in visitation with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Calvary which has existed since 1641. It should be noted that devotion to Our Lady is a complement to the praise, glory, and worship due Jesus Christ.  These devotions harmonize with each other. Mary’s Mysteries intermingle with the Mysteries of Jesus Christ.

The Commemoration of the Passion of Christ along the “Kalwarian Avenues” is modeled on the pilgrimages that take place in Jerusalem.  These commemorations along the Kalwarian Avenues developed along with the sanctuary's construction.  There is a specific ritual of commemorations containing various meditations, prayers and songs said and sung successively at 28 stations recalling Christ’s Passion.

The celebration of Passion begins on Palm Sunday with Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. On Holy Wednesday evening the scenes of the feast at Simon’s and of Judas’ treason are performed. Maundy Thursday brings a midday passion procession intercepted by scenes and sermons lasting a few hours. The celebration begins with washing the feet of the Apostles, which is traditionally performed by the monastery Superior. The ceremony is followed by scenes along the Avenues: “Prayer at Gethsemane”, “Seizure of Christ”, “Caiaphas’ judgment” and Peter’s denial”. On Good Friday morning the next part of the Passion mystery takes place: “The morning trial at Caiaphas residence’”, “Pilate’s judgment”, “Herod’s judgment”, “Pilate’s decree” sentencing Jesus to death. The scene is the culminating moment of the whole mystery, which gathers most pilgrims. After the sentence the procession moves towards Golgotha (The Mount of Crucifixion) where it finishes with Christ’s Passion and death liturgy and carrying the Blessed Sacrament to the Sepulcher.

The pilgrims, who take part in Kalwaria mystery plays, experience the whole service deeply and religiously not as if it were an outdoor theatre performance but as a service allowing each to experience the great Mysteries of Redemption.

Devotion to Our Lady of Calvary had its beginnings at the times of Mikołaj Zebrzydowski. It was Mikołaj Zebrzydowski who procured the title of Our Lady of the Angels for the main church.  The Main Altar contains a silver sculpture of Our Lady.  The sculpture, bought from Loreto in Italy.  Mikołaj Zebrzydowski built two Marian chapels: The Hut and Our Lady’s Tomb while his son Jan added eight more Marian chapels at which pilgrims started holding Marian Avenue services.  These services are composed of three parts: Sorrow, Falling asleep and Assumption and it is willingly practiced by pilgrims both during fairs and at other times.

Marian devotion started to flourish greatly in 1641 when the image of Our Lady of Calvary was placed in the church.

The image was a gift by Stanislaw Paszkowski of Brzezie, the owner of the nearby village of Kopytowka. The image is supposed to be a copy of the image of Our Lady of Myślenice painted by an unknown Italian artist in the 16th century. Bishop Jakub Zdradzik had the image taken to the vestry from the main altar where it was to stay until its miraculous features could be verified.   Many pilgrims continued to receive special graces through the intercession of Our Lady of Calvary.  Church authorities represented by Bishop Tomasz Oborski proclaimed the image glorious. In 1656 it was opened to public worship and placed in the main church on the altar of St. Anthony. In the years 1658-1667 Mikołaj Zebrzydowski built a special chapel to hold it and the image was placed in it in 1667.  The image made Kalwaria Zebrzydowska an important centre for the Marian devotion. On 15 August 1887 the Kalwaria image was crowned in the so-called Valley of Josaphat, in front of the church of Our Lady’s Tomb by a Bishop of Krakow Albin Dunajewski in the presence of thousands of pilgrims. That fact caused the Marian devotion flourish even more and increased the influx of pilgrims to the Kalwaria sanctuary.

Based on "Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - A Passion-Marian Sanctuary" by Mikolaj Rudyk, OFM