Queen of Poland since 1656

Apart from being Constitution Day in Poland, 3 May is the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland.

On 3 May, Masses are said throughout the whole country for the Polish nation, yet the most important ceremony traditionally takes place in the Jasna Gora monastery in the southern city of Czestochowa.

The ceremonial Mass, attended by thousands of pilgrims, is said by the Primate of Poland, currently Archbishop Henryk Muszynski.

The Feast of Our Lady and Queen of Poland gained official status in the Church at the plea of Polish bishops after the Great War. It was formally confirmed by Pope Pius XI in 1923.

Jasna Gora is the site of the icon of the Black Madonna, who is charged with miraculously saving the monastery from the Swedish invasions in the 17th century. After the events, she was crowned queen and protector of Poland by King Jan Kazimierz. (jb)