Our Lady of Bistrica

The miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin & the Christ Child that is enshrined in the city of Marija Bistrica in central Croatia is known as Our Lady of Bistrica, Queen of Croatia. The statue of late Gothic design is the work of an anonymous artist. The statue was first placed in the ancient shrine in Vinski Vrh in 1499. When the Turks advanced on the town, the frightened villagers buried the statue in Marija Bistrica for safekeeping. In 1588 it was rediscovered and given a place of honor. After a short time, it was then walled into the church and discovered for the second time in 1685. The statue is the beloved symbol of the Croation people and is revered as Queen of Croatia. She is considered a Black Madonna, and in 1923 the church was designated a minor basilica. It was also during this year that the Archbishop of Zagreb placed golden crowns upon the heads of the Madonna & Child. The Shrine of Our Lady of Bistrica honored on October 3, 1998, when Pope John Paul II visited the Shrine.

Prayer to the Mother of God of Bistrica
Mother of God of Bistrica, you have chosen in your motherly goodness in our Croatian Zagorje the place, after yourself Marija Bistrica. Here your sore-active statue is revered. Here the sanctum in you is your children with your mercy covers. Here you cure the spiritual and bodily wounds of the earthly silent sufferers and fulfil the wishes that which turn full trust to you. You know all my spiritual and bodily needs. To you as mother of Christ and my mother I have decided to come to open to you my heart and to confide you with my wishes. You, mother of Christ and my mother who has never rejected somebody in her goodness hears me generously. Amen