Gold crowns and the "entrustment dress" – gift of John Paul II

The miraculous image of the Mother of God was adorned with papal crowns for the first time on 8 September 1717. The crowns were donated by Pope Clement XI, but they were stolen in 1909. At the news of the theft Pope St. Pius X immediately donated a new set of crowns for Our Lady of Jasna Góra. The second coronation took place on 22 May 1910.

The gold crowns which are placed on the Miraculous Image now were donated and blessed on 1 April 2005 (the eve of his death) by John Paul II. The crowns were accompanied by a special message of the Pontiff: "I bless and donate new crowns for the Jasna Góra Image, uniting in spirit with the Pauline Fathers, custodians of the Shrine, and all of its Pilgrims. I entrust our Fatherland, the entire Church and myself to Her motherly care. Totus Tuus!" The new crowns and the Entrustment Dress made of amber and diamonds was laid on the Image on 26 August 2005 by Cardinal (then Archbishop) Stanisław Dziwisz, a longtime personal secretary to John Paul II. The votive Dress is a token of thanksgiving on the 350th anniversary of the Miraculous Defence of Jasna Góra, as well as a gift of thanksgiving for the life and sainthood of John Paul II and a gift commemorating the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Solidarity Trade Union.

awo, KAI //mam