The Spirit of Medjugorje

"Dear children, in this time of grace when you are called to conversion, I am encouraging you, little children: offer me your prayers, sufferings and tears for conversion of hearts that are far from the Heart of my Son Jesus. Pray with me, because, little children, without God you do not have a future or eternal life. I love you, but I cannot help you without you; therefore, say 'yes' to God. Thank you for having responded to my call. (With Ecclesiastical approval)"

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Featured article from November's Spirit of Medjugorje

The Jumano Indians and the Lady in Blue

By June Klins

     Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C., who had a radical conversion through Our Lady of Medjugorje, was one of the speakers at a Divine Mercy Conference in Buffalo, New York in August. Father spoke about the Rosary, and told a number of very interesting stories from his newest book, called Champions of the Rosary. (The subtitle of the book is The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon.) Father said his book is the most comprehensive book about the Rosary since St. Louis de Montfort's The Secret of the Rosary.

     Champions of the Rosary traces the history of the Rosary and all its "champions" to the present. There is a chapter on other saints not included in the history who also were very dedicated to praying and spreading devotion to the Rosary. There is even a section on the Rosary in Art with some very beautiful paintings through the ages. What a great book!
      One of the stories Father shared at the conference regarding the Rosary and our nation's history was particularly fascinating. Father said that, in 1629, Franciscan priests arrived in an area of the southwestern United States now known as New Mexico and western Texas. They were surprised to find that the Jumano Indians living there already knew the truths of Christianity, and were asking to be baptized and receive the other Sacraments. They even had rosaries! The Franciscans inquired as to how that could be, since they were the first missionaries in that area. The Indians informed them that a "lady in blue" had been visiting them, instructing them, and giving them rosaries. The Franciscans, of course, thought it was the Blessed Virgin Mary who had been visiting them. But when the Indians saw a picture of Her, they said that was not their visitor. In sharing the information with their superiors in Spain, it was determined that the woman who had been visiting the Indians was the Spanish mystic, Mary of Agreda. This mystic, who has recently been named venerable by the Church, had the charism of bi-location (being in two places at once), and she confirmed that she had, indeed, been instructing the Jumano Indians and taking rosaries with her to distribute to the Indians between the years 1620 and 1623. She was called "Lady in Blue" because of her blue habit. Isn't that awesome?!!!
     Editor's note: Fr. Calloway's conversion story was in our April, 2004 issue. Champions of the Rosary, No Turning Back (Father's conversion story) and his other many books can be ordered from any bookstore, or by calling 1-800-462-7426.