Mary of Jesus of Ágreda

Mary of Jesus of Ágreda, born María Coronel y de Arana on April second, sixteen hundred and two, was a prominent abbess and spiritual writer in her time. Renowned for her mystical experiences, she became a significant figure in the religious landscape of the seventeenth century.

As a member of the Conceptionists, Mary dedicated her life to her faith and the written word, producing fourteen notable works. Among these, she is particularly celebrated for her revelations concerning the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which reflect her deep spiritual insights and devotion.

Mary's extraordinary experiences included reports of bilocation, where she is said to have appeared simultaneously in her cloistered monastery in rural Spain and among the Jumano Indians in central New Mexico and West Texas, as well as in Tucson. This remarkable phenomenon inspired many Franciscan missionaries in the New World, further solidifying her legacy.

Her extensive correspondence with King Philip IV of Spain also marked her as a significant figure in the royal court. In popular culture, she has been affectionately referred to as the 'Lady in Blue' or 'the blue nun,' a nod to the color of the Conceptionist's habit, which has become synonymous with her identity.