La-Chapelle-Geneste
In the church Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (Our Lady of the Assumption). Her village is in the Haute-Loire department, 44 minutes NW of Le-Puy-en-Velay. 16th century, painted wood, likely a copy of an older statue, because they didn’t normally produce seat of wisdom Madonnas anymore in the 16th century and the first mention of a chapel dedicated to Our Lady in this village is from 1279.
This Black Madonna sits enthroned above a globe (the earth), which is supported by the symbols of the four evangelists: an angel, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.
Legend recounts that one day two shepherds saw their sheep prostrating themselves before a grove of trees called genets. As they approached, they became aware of an apparition of the Black Madonna.
The village owes its name to those trees. Its church still has some Romanesque parts.
Interior of the church with the altar of the Black Madonna on the right
Dr. Christena Cleveland, in her very own style and perspective as a black woman has this to say about the Black Madonna of La-Chapelle-Geneste, whom she calls The Mother of All Bling: “Actually, Her statue isn’t a statue; it’s a full-on Broadway production. Many of the Black Madonna shrines are about the size of a toddler, but the Black Madonna of La-Chapelle-Geneste’s shrine is the size of a small home.
Four massive, Grecian columns and a series of ornate steps form an elaborate pergola around Her. Multitudes of clamoring (white) people surround the pergola, as if they are fawning over Her. (Because the are.) Nestled between the columns is an ostentatious good arbor, and underneath the arbor sits the Black Madonna of La-Chapelle-Geneste in what is called the Wisdom Seat position. In other words, She is sitting upright, back erect, and feet planted firmly on the ground – as if She owns the place. (Because she does.) Both She and Her Black Baby are saturated from head to toe in glimmering clothing made of gold. In fact, the entire production is drenched in gold leaf. Large, gold stars form the backdrop, gold-lined clouds cover the fresco on the ceiling above, and gold accents dominate throughout. The only thing that isn’t covered in gold is Her lips. They are adorned with bright re, sexy-time lipstick. Indeed, She is the Mother of All Bling.
But the best thing about the entire production is Her crown! Rather shockingly, an unassuming, plain gold crown sits on Her head. The simple crown seems out of place amidst the showy splendor and out of character for the Mother of All Bling. However, four well-fed-looking (white) babies hove in the air just above the Black Madonna of La-Chapelle-Geneste, hoisting a ginormous gold crown above Her head. Her real crown is so big and luxurious that it would dwarf Her if She wore it, so little white babies carry it for Her. Her Holy Bling is literally so massive that it would be a pain to carry it, so Her reparations entourage carries it for Her. Free of the StrongBlackWoman chains, the Mother of All Bling isn’t going to wear Her holy self out. She’s gonna get that rest, and She’s gonna look good while doing it. She’s the Treat Yo’ Self Madonna. … She’s everywhere, just waiting to shower Her bling on us. She obviously doesn’t hold out on Herself, so She obviously won’t hold out on us.”
Christena Cleveland, PhD, God is a Black Woman, Harper One, New York: 2022, pp.243-4