A 17th-century Spanish missionary that preached Christianity to the Jumano Indians still remains to this day one of the most mysterious figures in the history of the New world.
Her monastic name was Mary of Jesus of Ágreda but was also famously called the Lady in Blue.
The Spanish woman was born on April 2, 1602 in the town of Ágreda to a noble Spanish family. Her full secular name was María Fernandez Coronel y de Arana.
At 5 years of age, the girl told that she experienced visions of a religious nature. Even as a child, she was convinced that she had to undergo a vow of abstinence and when she turned 16 she convinced her parents to let her become a nun.
María joined the Franciscan nuns - the Order of the Immaculate Conception in Ágreda. 10 years later she became abbess of that monastery.
Besides for her humility and piety, the nun was known among locals for her supernatural gifts. She predicted the future, read minds, had the ability to levitate but perhaps most impressive were the missionary travels she went on while in a state of deep trance.
Years after her unusual visions, Mary realized that God had given her the mission of spreading Christianity and she claimed that while in a state of trance she crossed the Atlantic Ocean to meet with the Jumano Indians, living in what is today New Mexico.
In 1628, the Episcopal of Mexico sent an official inquiry pertaining to the activities of Spanish nun. The local Indians had unbelievable religious knowledge about Christianity and they all answered that they had learned everything from a Spanish nun dressed in a blue mantle.
But no one had at that time sent spiritual teachers among the Indians. The lady in blue continued to appear and leave them various gifts, such as prayer beads and crucifixes. The Indians explained that despite the different language she was speaking, they were able to precisely understand everything she was saying.
By the time the expedition led by Juan de Salas arrived in the region, there were already 2000 Indians baptized by the Lady in Blue.
The nun also admitted to visiting the Jumano Indians, describing their traditions and daily lives with incredible detail, even giving the names of specific people from the various tribes.
Mary of Jesus of Ágreda died on May 24, 1665 and shortly after, miracles started occurring around her casket.
