There are now two Black Madonnas in the church in Rocamadour. The"regional" is cloaked and crowned, held aloft in the Marian Chapel. She is at a far distance and blocked off by the altar rail. This statue, however, is next door in the main body of the church- right out in the open where you can even touch her. Of course, the ark she is in made me think of the rudderless boat that Mary Magdalene ostensibly sailed on to arrive at the shores of Provence. I love that there are two Black Virgins now- one the Queen of Heaven and this other, earthy and accessible.
The ancient pilgrim path to the chapel. It was here that both Olivier Messiaen and Francois Poulenc had profound mystical experiences. The birdsongs of this place found their way in to the compositions of both men....
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