Sanktuarium jasnogórskie w świetle „Redemptoris Mater”

Abstract

In his encyclical “Redemptoris Mater” John Paul II opens new ways of deepening theological consciousness of the Marian shrine. The Pope speaks of the “specific geography” of faith and Marian devotion by pointing to Marian shrines as especially privileged places to celebrate the Marian Year. Moreover, he offers a deepened theological interpretation of religious life in that dimention. In accordance with “Redemptoris Mater”, we have attempted a new vision of Jasna Góra as an International Marian shrine with the Holy Virgin present in the token of the Icon, where she receives homage from the faithful through the mystery of incarnation as “House of God”, “Seat of wisdom” and “Living seat of the Holy Spirit”. Thus, in a way both concrete and mysterious, she is a privileged way to God. A close analysis of the Pope’s teaching contained in “Redemptoris Mater” and his numerous references to Jasna Góra allow the following presentation of the above subject. In agreement with the Pope’s generalisations, we present the theology of Jasna Góra in four dimentions: 1. The Jasna Góra Shrine as an “Icon of the Holy Virgin’s presence” amongst the people in the community of the Church) 2. The Shrine’s role of Introduction to the world of faith) 3. The Shrine as “place of a special struggle” through unity with the Holy Virgin as “the most perfect icon of freedom and deliverance of humanity and the universe”) 4. The Marian Shrine as “place of revelation of the Holy Virgin’s motherly intercession”. It is not enough for the Marian Shrine to be characterised by “special devotion”, it must also arouse “a special feeling of devotion” in the faithful, it must attract. That conoerns plans for the future of every sanctuary. It seems that, owing to its exceptional position, the Jasna Góra Shrine embodies this plan by constantly re recalling the presence of the One who leads the faithful in Poland) with Her it enters the new era: “the prime of of time”.