During the last pilgrimage there were questions on the significance of the Black Madonnas. There are many versions of the Black Madonnas and many interpretations of the significance.. One book with information on the hIstorical aspects of the Black Madonna is Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna.
“The Black Madonna is a Christian tradition with origins in pre-Christian devotion to the Earth Mother Goddess and the African Mother. The Black Virgin also represents the womb of the Earth, the dark side of the moon, the universe, the Cosmos, and the mystery of the life-giving woman. Like the Earth’s womb, women’s wombs have often been broken through different types of abuse and unhealthy relationships. As the Earth continues to regenerate herself, she nourishes us, even if we are abusing her with pollution, mining, and global warming. It is my wish that women who have also suffered abuse can take a cue from Mother Nature and learn self-healing techniques, like those described in this book.”
— Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna: Chants, Music, and Sacred Practices of the Great Goddess by Alessandra Belloni
Interesting fact:
“Most of the churches and sanctuaries devoted to Black Madonnas in Italy and around the world are actually built on the ruins of temples dedicated to different goddesses, including Isis (Egypt), Cybele (Anatolia, Turkey), Diana Efesina or Artemis (Ephesus, Turkey), Aphrodite Venus from Erice Sicily, Demeter or Ceres, Persephone (Enna Sicily), Hecate (Pompei), Naples Tanit (Phoenicia, Carthage), and Gaia. In some places, as in Tindari, Sicily, the Black Madonna’s church stands today beside an ancient archaeological site and temple of the goddess Demeter.”
During our pilgrimage we see some amazing Black Madonna's in Montserrat, Rocamadour, Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer. and Chartres. Black Madonnas are depicted in art as well as being made from wood and other mediums.
The most famous Black Madonna is Our Lady of Częstochowa (Poland): Queen of the Black Madonnas reputed to be painted by St. Luke on a tabletop from the home of the Holy Family. Second place of famous Black Madonnas is The Virgin of Montserrat (Spain): La Moreneta. Another very well known Black Madonna is Our Lady of Aparecida (Brazil) The basilica that houses the statue is one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.