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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JUNE 27, 1983
PAGE 11
For the coronation mass [commemorating the 600th anniversary of
the Black Madonna], the pope and all his Polish bishops and
cardinals, as well as the Primate of Hungary and�� cardinal
from Zagreb, were dressed in full regalia, wearing surplices of
spun gold and heavy silk. But it was the pope's homily that was
the most striking element of the mass.
Having in earlier
speeches enjoined the nation to engage in dialogue, he� spoke
of the goal uppermost in his mind.
With many references to
Poland's turbulent history, as well as to the power of the Virgin
Mary and the precious icon housed at Jasna Gora, the pope prayed:
"Q Lord, deign to restore us to� free homeland."
Four years ago, from the same altar here in Czestochowa, the pope
argued that Marxism and Christianity were incompatible, and he
also urged the promotion of the spiritual unity of Eastern
Europe. Yesterday he was more circumspect, saying that "we in
Poland have � very difficult geopolitical situation"....
On
Saturday, during an address to young people, the pope had
emphasised in more direct terms that "Polish freedom costs so
much more" than other nations'.
He singled out the French,
Germans and Americans, but omitted the British, as countries that
have come by their freedom relatively easily. But he believed
that for Poles to fight for freedom was heaithy: "We do not want
a Poland that costs us nothing."
The June 24 WALL STREET JOURNAL, datelined Krakow, had some interesting
vignettes of the papal tour, and concluded with the hope that many Poles
have in their revered Black Madonna to miraculously rescue them from their
Soviet captors. (One wonders too whether there is any connection between
the Black Madonna of Czestochowa and the black statue of "St. Peter" in the
Vatican. And Black Madonnas or virgins are by no means limited to Poland.
They have been fairly common in France.)
KRAKOW, Poland--The pope's official visit to Poland, •••trans
formed the country from a land of sour memories to a nation of
fresh hopes. � distraught government saw its position of iron
fisted master melt to that of� hapless and besieged leadership
waiting with bated breath� the pontiff's return to St. Peter's
Square. A reporter's jottings while following the path of the
pope illustrate� week in which politics and religion mingled in
timately, until borders between them evaporated into a blur....
Many Poles believe the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, the icon
whose 600th anniversary was the reason for the papal visit, is�
miracle worker. She is credited with everything from stopping
Swedish invaders [in the 1600s] to healing cripples. The�
credits her with saving his life when he was shot two years ago.
He presents the Black Madonna the shot-pierced sash of his frock
in appreciation. She can add it to a rich stock of offerings.
The connection between the assassination attempt, the Bulgarians
and the Soviets, hasn't been legally proved, but most Poles
haven't any doubt that their neighbors to the east were somehow
involved. � surprising number also believe divine intervention
saved their pontiff from the Soviets. Some hope it will do the
same for them.