Dear Gran,
Depends on your definition of "is there". The Black Madonna of
Breznichar is an invented one, though it exists - in fiction - in the
book "The Secret Life of Bees" (By Sue Monk Kidd, Viking, 2004).
Breznichar doesn't exist, and likewise is the cult of Madonna in this
non-existing place. However, Kidd did rely on some real phenomena. The
cult of "Black Madonna" does exist, one of the most famous ones are
the one in Czestochowa, Poland (which is part of historical Bohemia).
Not only that, but there is a shrine, in Missouri (which is a Southern
State, just like in the book), dedicated to the Black Madonna of
Czestochowa:
Michael P. Duricy, "Black Madonnas" The Marian Library/International
Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio
<http://www.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/blackmdn.html>
Vincenzina Krymow, 1998. "Black Madonnas: Still Black and Still
Venerated", The Marian Library/International Marian Research
Institute, Dayton, Ohio
<http://www.udayton.edu/mary/resources/blackm/blackm.html>
Saxakali, 1998. "Christ's Mother, "The Black Madonna" is worshiped
throughout Europe of all places"
<http://www.saxakali.com/suzar/madonna.htm>
Michael P. Duricy, "Black Madonnas: Our Lady of Czestochowa", The
Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio,
<http://www.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/olczest.html>
Black Madonna Shrine, Missouri, Answers.com
<http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Black+Madonna+Shrine%2C+Missouri&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1>
Black Madonna and Grotto
<http://www.franciscancaring.org/blackmadonnapage.html>
This was probably - though we can never know what goes in people's
heads - Kidd's inspiration when writing this book.
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. My search terms have
been :
"Black Madonna" Breznichar Bohemia -site:biz
Breznichar
"Black Madonna" (for the general explanations and links on Black Madonnas). |
