Christ’s light of hope continues to bring comfort to those who seek him

One of the most important paintings in Poland is from my home diocese of Siedlce it has a largely unknown provenance and very narrowly escaped complete destruction.

Rescued by the parish priest from a pile junk destined for the bonfire in back garden of a rural church, it hung neglected and forgotten on a wall in the rectory for years.

Until one day an ar t histor i an happened to catch sight of it ; Dr Izabella Galicka made the incredible discovery whilst doing dull inventory work with a colleague for the Polish Academy of Art and Sciences in the rectory of a small parish church in Kosów Lacki.

“Everyone thought it was an absurdity, that an El Greco would be found in a Podlasie rectory.” Dr. Galicka reminisced, “It was only by chance we happened to see through the door, which was ajar into the next room of the rectory.”

The research and documentation took almost two years then further essential restoration was carried out to reveal the most stunningly beautiful painting, a true masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance from the hand of the Greek painter we know as El Greco.

The painting depicts The Ecstasy of St Francis, El Greco’s measureless charm is found in his delicate, slightly elongated figures and his unique use of colour.

This gives it the feel and look modern art slightly surrealist and impressionistic, but absolutely captivating and engaging from first sight.

El Greco’s painting now hangs in the diocesan museum built especially to house it, and is recognised as one of the three greatest paintings to be found in Poland.

First in precedence Leonardo Di Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine.

It was sold to the Polish Government for €100 million in 2016 by the Prince Czar tory ski Foundation.

The other great work of art is from the Flemish painter Hans Memling who painted a triptych or altarpiece entitled The Last Judgment, which is in the National Museum in Gdansk.

Memling’s genius is t he extraordinary realism, we always associate with Flemish art, and which he pioneered and championed.

But Poland’s greatest treasure, the beating heart of the nation is another painting altogether.

An icon, so venerated and revered that everyday many thousands of pilgrims arrived to pray before it.

Often walking barefoot for hundreds of kilometers, they come with great devotion and faith to honour the figure it depicts Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

The icon of Black Madonna of Czestochowa has been central to life of Poland for more than 600 years. Shrouded in legend and mystery, tradition has it that St Luke painted it on a cedar tabletop from the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth!

Whatever the truth, this icon has been hallowed by centuries of prayers and devotion, and it holds a central and unique place in Poland’s life. At times of national crises when the life of the nation was in jeopardy, all turned in prayer to the great national patron.

When the nation was suppressed by foreign rule it was the Polish language and icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa that held the national identity together.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words.

This picture speaks eloquent words to an entire nation of hope and trust in God. In the the icon Mary, she carries in her arms the infant Christ.

She holds him for all to see, for all to find in him hope in moments of despair and light in times of darkness.

Christ’ slight and hope continue to bring comfort and