August 25, Day Nine, Queen of the World – A miraculous healing happened before the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa at the Shrine in Poland.

Published by Holy Cross Parish in Pruszcz Gdański 

Translated from Polish to English: 

We often put miraculous events somewhere deep into legends and history. It seems to us that this does not concern us, and it is happening today. Janina Lach will not forget that day for the rest of her life. In front of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa at Jasna Góra Monastery, she threw her crutches and began to walk. Today her case is considered to be one of the greatest miracles in Jasna Góra. It all started in the 1970s. Janina was 19 when she fell ill. "I started to pass out, I felt my legs go limp," she recalls. “Even today I still hear the doctors' diagnosis: the first appearance of multiple sclerosis.”

“At that time, I did not realize how terrible the disease is.” She lived like many girls her age. She married Waldek. Eve was born, then Adam. They lived in Łódź then. However, the disease was beginning to make itself felt. “After another relapse of the illness, I did not return to work and I started to walk on crutches” says Janina. At that time, her husband left her. Eve was two years and eight months and Adam was one year old. “I was left alone with them, and with each passing month my health was getting worse and worse” says Janina. “Not only legs but also hands refused to obey. I saw worse and worse, the intestines stopped working. I realized that the doctors' warnings were working. They said I should be glad to be still walking, and it shouldn't be for long. I will lie in bed for several years waiting for death. A cure for this disease has not been invented. I was aware that when MS invaded the spinal cord, I was over. But I wanted to live for the children! It kept me alive. I dreamed of staying with them as long as possible. Apart from my grandmother, I had no family. I knew that after my death, Eve and Adam would go to an orphanage.”

On one of those frosty January nights, Janina Lach had a dream. She dreamed of the Mother of God, who stood in front of her and said: “Come to me, to Jasna Góra Monastery!” Janina Lach assures us that she did not believe in dreams before. But then something inside told her that she needed to go to Częstochowa. “I was 28 years old, but I have never been to Częstochowa before” she says. “I decided to go, even though it was a great effort for me. I took Eve with me, who was then only seven years old. I left Adam with my grandmother.” It was January 28, 1979. They went to Częstochowa by train. Then the taxi driver took them to the monastery itself. When she and her daughter entered the chapel with the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Jasna Gora, a mass was being celebrated. The main celebrant was Father Jerzy Tomziński

‘With these crutches, I started walking towards the bars that separate the miraculous painting from the faithful”, she recalls. - At some point, a light began to radiate towards me, I felt a great warmth envelop me. I saw the face of the Mother of God, I had the impression that she was saying something to me. I do not remember more. I felt like I was in some ecstasy. After a while I saw that I was standing without crutches. Little Eve was screaming.”

“The crutches seemed to have left my hands by themselves!”

Janina Lach could not believe that she had left the chapel on her feet, without crutches. She felt so happy that she couldn't put it into words. The daughter also did not believe what had happened. She said: “Mom, you will knock me over, I have to lead you.” However, after a dozen or so minutes, she began to get used to the fact that her mother walked normally. She led her to a small slide in the courtyard of the Jasna Góra monastery. They slid together. “First time in my life!” she said. When she returned to Łódź, her grandmother, who raised Janina Lach, was touching her granddaughter, she was crying, and she could not believe what had happened. Little Adam did not leave his mother's sight. “When I was sick, he complained that I could never take his hand and go for a walk” says Janina. “After the miraculous healing, I went on foot to Jasna Góra, from Warsaw, to keep it going. I've been six times in total. I also took my children with me. The doctor did not recognize me.” 

She is still healthy, although sometimes her spine hurts, when she gets overworked. Another miracle also happened. a taxi stopped in front of the house as Janina was preparing to go to Holy Thursday services. Her husband, who once left her with the children, got out of the taxi. He said, "I'm back!” “Waldek was ill, after two heart attacks” she explains. “I couldn't push him away. We live together now.” 

May the Black Madonna touch your heart, as we now invoke her intercession for our needs and those of Cardinal Burke.

Under your mantle, I seek refuge, Most Holy Immaculate Virgin and Mother.

How sweet it is for me to venerate you under the title of Our Lady of Czestochowa and Queen of Jasna Gora. We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God; despise not these petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

My most holy Mother, I behold the graces that you have already obtained for me, and the ingratitude that I have shown toward you. The thankless soul is no longer worthy of blessings, but not even on this account will I lose confidence in your mercy. O my mighty advocate, have pity on me and obtain, I beseech you, these favors, not only for myself and all those I pray for, but most especially for the needs of Cardinal Burke, if it be for the glory of your Divine Son and the good of my soul and their souls.

(Now mention your own special intentions and pray especially for the needs of Cardinal Burke, as well as his continuous good health.)

Speak for me, Queen of Jasna Gora. Your Son will do whatsoever you shall ask of Him. I beg you, take me under your protection and this is enough for me, to be one of your ever-faithful servants. Amen.

We give thanks to You, Our Blessed Mother, that your admirable strength draws us to yourself. We can never forget You. Lead us continually to your Son, so that we may be ready to do what He shows us. Hear our prayers and grant our petitions, which we have placed before you. 

O Lady, Mother of Czestochowa, our most excellent Mother, since the sixth century at Jasna Gora, you have taken care of your faithful people in a most special way. Today also, we seek your intercession. O powerful Mediatrix of all graces.  We are your people, therefore penetrate our minds, our hearts, and all our deeds. Then indeed we shall become your true possessions and worthy members of the Kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.