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by Elaine Soto (Author)
Have you ever heard of the Black Madonna? Have you ever wondered why she is called Black? Our Lady of Guadalupe, for example, is a Black Madonna, and she is famous for the miracles associated with her. My mother once told me about a Black Madonna in Puerto Rico who was said to be renowned for performing miracles. Growing up in New York City, I did not hear many positive things about Puerto Ricans. However, learning about a miracle-working Black Madonna from my ancestral island made me proud of my culture and curious to know more about her.
In this memoir, I share my journey to find the Black Madonna, which took me to many locations, including Puerto Rico, Spain, China, Italy, Portugal, France, and Mexico. This journey also led me on a profound journey of self-discovery. I recount poignant vignettes and heartfelt pantoum poems about my experiences growing up Puerto Rican in New York and the loss of my father. My search for the Black Madonna becomes a powerful metaphor for my quest to forge a positive identity as a Puerto Rican woman. Despite my academic success and professional achievements as a psychologist, the echoes of past separation and betrayal grew louder. I began having vivid visions and dreams of the Black Madonna, and through therapy, I discovered that the Black Madonna is a Jungian archetype that appears in our dreams to guide us toward healing.
As I paint and write about the Black Madonnas I encountered on my travels and my experiences growing up Puerto Rican in New York, I find a path to healing. This transformative journey not only heals me but also empowers me to share what I have learned with others. Through this process, I genuinely discover myself and my purpose, and I hope my story will inspire others to embark on their journeys of self-discovery and healing.
