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*THE LADY in BLUE - COMMENTS*
sor maria de jesus of agreda - la dama azul - who was she?

SOR MARIA wearing Immaculate Conception Medallion

SOR MARIA AGREDA - early painting wearing rosary and medallion

IMAGES OF
SOR MARIA de AGREDA
ABOVE: Shown in the garment of the Conceptionists. Attributes: Medallion of the Immaculate Conception, a rosary around her neck. Book and pen. Also often shown holding a crucifix. Who is the Lady in Blue?
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THANKS TO ENCOURAGEMENT
After many words of encouragement by email, my memory was stirred. As a child, my mom spoke about a nun who visited the Southwestern US and converted the indians, yet she never left her convent in Spain. And as I followed this encouragement below so many years later, I discovered that where I grew up in the panhandle of Texas, was also visited by this nun hundreds of years before. So needless to say, it became a concerted effort with Marilyn Fedewa (The American Correspondent liaison with the vice postulator of Sor Maria's cause for sainthood.) and Brian Cadman of the UK, the following information
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Every soul, without exception, is capable of embracing its inner light. Yet in order to receive so delicate an influence, quiet is essential'
Sor María de Ágreda

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MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD
She was born Maria Coronel y Arana *April 2, 1602, in Agreda, Spain and died in 1665. In her remarkable time on earth, she accomplished more than most would in several lifetimes. She is probably best known for her book THE MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD.
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'In it', Marilyn Fedewa shares, 'she portrays an inspiring and devotional treatment of the life of Our blessed Mother Mary, and Mary's experiences throughout the life of her Son, Our Lord.'
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Through this book and along with Ann Catheryn Emmerich, Mel Gibson was deeply inspired to produce his film, 'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.' Through this new awareness, the world is again wanting to know more about her. *Marilyn also noted 'Interesting that the Pope (JP II), passed away
on Sor Maria's birthday'

for more information see
COMMENTS - DESIGNING ROSARIES
MARILYNS BOOK - ROSARIES
also see
MORE LINKS

*COMMENTS*

... DIVINE MYSTERIES
OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY ...
by Venerable Mary of Agreda who explains the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary.
a book, taken from The Mystical City of God.
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THE ROSARY
A GARLAND OF DIVINE PERFUME
This new and deepened appreciation emboldens me to PLEAD with you to put a mention of Mary of Agreda's 'DIVINE MYSTERIES OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY' on your Home Page. Can I just BEG you for even a single line of mention of the book.; Your Home Page is where we meet the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Rosary - let it also be a place where others can know of the MYSTERIES OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY in Her Own Words.
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Where the Most Holy Rosary of The Blessed Virgin Mary is a Garland of Prayers, The Divine Mysteries of The Most Holy Rosary of Venerable Mary Of Agreda is a wafting of that Garland's Divine Perfume.
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I am taking the risk that you might think me a lttle crazy by my pleadings but your opinion of me is less important to me than the gratitude I feel for the presence of this book in the world. I feel that, however small, I must make more effort to make it more widely known known. Best Regards, Brian Cadman (UK)

... A MOST DAZZLING JEWEL ...
Some time ago I purchased from you at Rosary Workshop a very beautiful Rosary. The Beauty of the beads themselves inspired in me a resolve to participate as fully as possible in the prayers of the Rosary each time I recited it. Naturally this Resolve led me to St. Louis de Montfort and his writings on the Rosary in the form of the famous text ‘ THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY’ I was grateful for the chance to deepen my consideration of the Prayers in reading it.
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OUT OF GRATITUDE TO GOD
Grace did not stop there for me though and by some mysterious means I discovered the book ‘DIVINE MYSTERIES OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY' written by the Venerable Mary of Agreda. The 'Divine Mysteries...' are an extract from a much larger work by Mary of Agreda called 'MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD'.
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Mary of Agreda’s writings have deepened my appreciation for the Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary to such an extent that I feel they are indeed a VERY SPECIAL GRACE.
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After reading the book it is impossible to ever say the Rosary again without an immense feeling of PARTICIPATION. The book is such a torrent of Blessing in the way it enlivens the meditation of the Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary and also in how it absolutely brings to Life the joy in the awareness of the Virtues expressed in each Holy Mystery itself. With Mary’s exposition each Mystery can be LIVED and shared in the praying. This is such an incredible Gift.
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Out of Gratitude To God and Veneration to Mary of Agreda I am driven to implore you to make known this text of hers on your Website.
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PLEASE make the text known so that others may know of Mary and her writing on the Rosary. I am certain the Graces received from such deepened prayers will be beyond our comprehension.
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Dedication to the Rosary surely shines in your Website and such a dedication deserves the right to be crowned with reference to Mary of Agreda amongst whose works ’THE DIVINE MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ROSARY' is the most dazzling jewel. Yours Sincerely, Brian Cadman (UK)

... ON THE NATURE OF GRATITUDE ...
Some years ago I had an unusual insight on the nature of ‘Gratitude’. Who would think that there would be any need for any kind of insight on this topic? After all, Gratitude is Gratitude; we have all ‘felt’ it.
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The insight though, was very simple; I am never TRULY grateful for anything that I have UNLESS I am putting it to ‘Good Use’. It was a shock to me to see that this included my own life.
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On reflection, it seems that I can only SHOW my gratitude to God for anything He has blessed me with by USING it and thereby BENEFITING from it.
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This, to me at least, proves God’s boundless Love; that I should be further blessed by merely being grateful for any gift that He bestows on me.
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You might wonder why I am sharing this insight with you at all.
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I feel that publicizing widely the Work of Mary of Agreda is an act of Gratitude the benefit of which is not yet completely realized.
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There is another wonderful point, which I would like to make. I have read somewhere recently that in thanking God for the Merits of any Saint we draw down on ourselves those same Merits.
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True Gratitude, it seems, is a wide net capable of catching many Graces.
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Thank you so much for posting the information about Mary of Agreda on your Website. This too is an act of Gratitude, a prayer, which will shower down on all at Rosary Workshop the same Merits which make Mary of Agreda a candidate for Canonisation.
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Yours Sincerely, Brian Cadman (August 26 2004)

PS; I am hoping Mary of Agreda herself will inspire you to make a Rosary Workshop Rosary in her honour.

PRAY FOR US SINNERS ...
MARIA IN NEW MEXICO

FROM AN 18c ENGRAVING
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... NOW AND AT
THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH ...
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the HOUR OF OUR DEATH ." I always try and concentrate and be really awake to what I am saying when I say the Hail Mary and never more so than in saying these last words about Help at the hour of death. It was only a couple of nights ago that I was made aware, YET AGAIN,. by reading Venerable Mary of Agreda just why these words appear in The Hail Mary. In the words of The Blessed Virgin herself to Mary of Agreda our Holy Mother explains that in accepting death for herself rather than being raised alive into Heaven she won for us all a very special Grace of helping us as we die.
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IN THE WORDS OF
THE BLESSED VIFGIN TO MARY OF AGREDA:

" Hence My choosing to die was so pleasing to Him, and My Prudent Love therein obliged Him to such an extent that He immediately conceded to Me a singular favour for the benefit of the children of The Church and conformable to My wishes. It was this, that all those devoted to Me, who shall call on me at the hour of death, constituting Me as their Advocate in memory of My Happy Transition and of My desiring to imitate Him in death, shall be under my special protection in that hour, shall have Me as a defense against the demons, as a help and a protection, and shall be presented by Me before the Tribunal of His Mercy and there experience My Intercession"

NEVER AGAIN WILL I ...
You might wonder why I am taking the time to bring Mary of Agreda to your attention again Margot. Well, let me say that after reading the Words of The Blessed Virgin to Venerable Mary I felt deeply grateful, that from that moment on I would recall them whenever I prayed the Hail Mary itself. Never again will I, out of ignorance, lack appreciation of the Generosity which informs The Glorious Intercession of Our Holy Mother at the Hour of Death. Bian Cadman (UK) (October 6 2004)

... IT HAS ENHANCED MY PRAYER ...
It was really wonderful to hear you mention in our conversation by phone that you have ideas of mentioning Venerable Mary of Agreda's work on the Rosary more prominently on your website sometime in the future.
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Mary of Agreda's 'DIVINE MYSTERIES OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY' of The Blessed Virgin Mary' are a wonderfuly deep and spiritually nourishing Treasure Chest of Contemplation on the Mysteries. Each time I pray the Rosary these days I recall another small detail from Mary of Agreda's exposition and feel joy inside at deepening my contemplation by it.
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I feel rather strange though, banging on and on about Mary of Agreda's Work, but I have been so deeply touched by how it has enhanced my own participation of the Mysteries when I pray the Rosary that I feel I must repay her Love somehow.
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Along the same lines, here I am again, with a parting request; that maybe, just maybe, some time in the future you might create a Rosary dedicated to Mary of Agreda-- I realize that Mary is yet 'Venerable' and not quite yet a Saint but I have a plan to enlist Help with my request to you----I'll mention this request to Our Lady next time I pray the Rosary. Brian (March 16 2005)

~DESIGNING the ROSARIES~

... CONCERTED DESIGN EFFORTS ...
The following was sent by Marilyn Fedwa in response to a request for some thoughts on the dedication rosary. It not only confirmed what the Rosary Workshop was doing but found it interesting and very informative. Marilyn has a wealth of knowledge regarding Sor Maria Agreda that most of us would not be able to find through the normal sources. It is good reading!

COLORS
In chapter 8 of Pope Julius' 1511 specifications for the Rule of their order, he describes the requisite colors of the cloistered nuns habits for the Order of the Immaculate Conception:
     -- -- an outer cloak "the color of sky" in honor of "the soul of the Most sacred Virgin"
     -- -- the normal tunic and cowel of a soft shade of white in honor of the "virginal purity of the soul and body" of the Immaculate Conception.
     -- -- "Sky blue" is also significant, of course, since Maria de Agreda was named by Native Americans in the 17th century American Southwest as the "Lady in Blue," after her many bilocations to preach the Christian gospel to them.
     -- -- Also, FYI, there was proscribed a short black veil that (until Vatican II) they pulled over their faces when visiting with "outsiders"
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     I have actual samples of the blue robe and the soft white tunic -- small pieces that are actually relics that the convent sent to me. I'd be happy to send a likeness of them or a photo of the present day nuns, to the Rosary Workshop if that would be helpful.
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VALUES AND ATTRIBUTES
While Sor Maria's life was interlaced with many miraculous events, visions and ecstasies, one of her outstanding qualities throughout her life was humility. For that reason, and in concert with the theme of the Franciscans, under which her order comes, I feel that simplicity and something not overly pricey would be most reflective of her style. (Unlike some Conceptionists, who split off from the Franciscans somewhere along the line, Mary of Agreda's order maintained the affiliation to the present.) Her absolute servitude and devotion to the Blessed Mother also underscores some type of blue theme for the rosary.

TEXTURES AND STONES
Because of the incredibly refined nature of Sor Maria's own soul, I envision the primary rosary beads as polished and smooth and bright as the color of the sky portrayed in her cloak. Also, perhaps somewhat opaque, reflective of the many mysteries revealed to her by the Blessed Mother. Too, because of the Moncayo mountain range overlooking the convent in Agreda, much of the present day convent was constructed, under Sor Maria's direction, from actual granite in the foothills. So perhaps the glistening blue beads might be contrasted in the Our Father beads by something more rough-hewn. Or, another idea -- polished mahogany, since she was so pleased with the mahogany choir stalls she had installed in the new (and present) convent.

THE MEDAL
There is a particular portrait of her that is considered her "signature" pose, that I would recommend for the medal. In it, she is seated at her writing desk, poised over the manuscript of "Mystical City of God," with a feather quill pen in her right hand. It is also very appropriate since she has reached so many people through the wonders in her book. I'd be happy to send a couple of versions to Margot, if you think she might like to look at them.

That's all I can think of for now. Please let me know what you think, and how the project proceeds. United in prayer, Marilyn Fedewa (March 18 2005

*MARILYN'S NEW BOOK*

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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IT WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH
Maria of Agreda: Mystical Lady in Blue is now available through the University of New Mexico Press (UNMP). This book is a definitive biography of the intriguing 17th century abbess who wrote Mystical City of God, advised King Felipe IV of Spain from behind the walls of the cloister, and indelibly influenced the history of the American Southwest. We highly recommend you read it - it will strengthen your faith and draw you much closer to not only the fullness of the body of Christ but the fullness of His love for each of us. (please click icon for more info)

*DEDICATION ROSARIES*

ROSARIES INSPIRED
BY THE 17C SPANISH MYSTIC

RDSP.2540

RDSP.2541

for more info or pricing), COPY AND PASTE item number in"SEARCH BOX" at
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TEACHING ABOUT JESUS
This series of rosaries is inspired by Sor Maria de Agreda, the 17th century Spanish mystic who became a cloistered Franciscan Conceptionist nun. As cloistered, she did not leave her convent, yet spoke of teaching 'natives and savages' about Jesus in a far distant country, not just once but over 500 times. This began when she was only 18 years old. In 1627 she became abbess of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception in Agreda where she spent the rest of her life.
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With grateful thanks to the encouragement of Brian Cadman (UK) and to Marilyn Fedewa (MI), the American Correspondent liaison with the vice postulator of Sor Maria's cause for sainthood. If this sharing, in any way helps Sor Maria Agreda to become Saint Maria we will be most grateful. + RW

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