On Sunday 17 March, H.M.E.H. the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra’ John T. Dunlap, visited the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, where he was received by the General of the Pauline Order, Fr. Arnold Chrapkowski and his General Council. The Grand Master’s delegation included the Ambassador of the Order to Poland, Niels Lorijn and the President of the Polish Association of the Order of Malta, Count Jacek Tarnowski.

Jasna Góra is one of the most important places of Marian cult and the most important pilgrimage centre for Catholics in Poland, with a painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa, which is considered miraculous, and an extensive collection of many other sacred works of art.

The Grand Master and the members of his delegation had the opportunity to pray before the painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa and to visit the monastery’s art collection and library. The library has the status of a theological and monastic library and includes a collection of books from the 15th to the 19th century.