Jasna Góra in Częstochowa - Station 02 - Square in front of Jasna Góra

Description

You are now in front of the main entrance to the sanctuary of Jasna Góra. The second entrance is on the side of the Pilgrim House and the car park, and leads through John Paul II gate. A moment ago you have passed on the right side of the monument of the Polish Primate Stefan Wyszyński (photo 01.02.001). It was unveiled the 26 August 1997. The monument was designed by the Warsaw Professor, Jan Kucza. The sculpture, named "Pokora" (Humility), shows the figure of the primate humbly leaning toward the sanctuary in worship to the Queen of Poland Mother Lady of Częstochowa.

Now, please, take a look below your feet. At the circular square in front of the first gate is laid in cobblestones the coat of arms of the Pauline Order, the hosts of the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra (photo 01.02.002). The coat of arms refers to the saint patron of the Order: St. Paul, the First Hermit, and shows a date palm, from which leaves St. Paul made its clothes. The date symbolize the food of the saint while staying in the desert. Around the trunk of the palm are two lions, which, according to the legend, dug the grave of the saint in which he was buried by St. Anthony. On top of the coat of arms you may recognize a raven with a loaf of bread in its beak, the bird brought food to the saint every day.

The order of St. Paul the First Hermit was founded in 1250 in Hungary. The Pauline appeared in Jasna Góra in 1367. The essence of the order is contemplation, prayer, repentance, dissemination of the cult of Mary and the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. The motto of the Order is "Sam na sam z Bogiem” (Alone with God Alone). Few pilgrims and tourists know that the general board of the Order is right here in Jasna Góra. The most famous Pauline is Father Augustine Kordecki, who became famous during the victorious defence of the monastery before the Swedish army during the Swedish deluge in 1655.

Next to the square stands a huge Swedish cannon, which chase is directed toward the monastery (photo 01.02.003).

Please, go now to the first gate and switch to the third record.