The Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary invite everyone to a special rosary in honor of Venerable Mother Julia Navarrete. Come help celebrate a Christmas Miracle with a “Noche de Luminaria” rosary at the Venerable Mother Julia Chapel located at 408 E. Richard in Kingsville on Friday, Dec. 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Everyone will have an opportunity to place remembrance petitions for loved ones on the altar to stay throughout Advent.
The United States has only a few saints canonized by the Catholic Church, possibly because it is a fairly young nation as compared to countries in Europe, where there are a great number of saints. Catholics arrived in the new world with Columbus in 1492 and then accompanied the Spaniards to Mexico and then to Texas and the American Southwest.
Mother Julia Navarrete established the first order of the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin in Aguascalientes in Mexico before venturing into Texas. During her early years, Mother Julia had a tremendous calling by the Heavenly Father to provide Biblical education to young and old alike as a method of bringing everyone closer to Christ.
Mother Julia was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1881. She left her home at the height of the Mexican Revolution, when in some areas it was forbidden to celebrate Mass. At the request of her home diocese, she went to Texas and started her ministry in a one-room house on Richard Avenue in Kingsville that was purchased from King Ranch founder Richard King. Her mission was to educate the children and minister to the adults and she accomplished this by establishing a convent in Kingsville for the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin in 1916.
Mother Julia experienced many obstacles in accomplishing her call to serve God. In July 2004, St. John Paul II recognized Mother Julia as Venerable. There are four stages on the road to sainthood that include Servant of God, Venerable, Beatification (Blessed) and then Canonization as a Saint. At this point in time many great favors have been granted through Mother Julia’s intercession.
People in Texas and the southwest have been blessed by the life of Mother Julia who established convents in Kingsville and Robstown to carry out her ministry of religious education, especially for our young adults entering the challenges of life. Establishing many convents throughout the world for religious education, Mother Julia is a symbol of missionary excellence for all to embrace.
Sister Maximina Cruz, MDPVM came to know Mother Julia in her later years and was at her bedside during her last hour. A dedicated sister and diligent worker for Mother Julia’s cause, Sister Maxie, as she is called, is the keeper of some of the most precious relics belonging to Mother Julia. Sister Maxie said that she would continue to do Mother Julia’s work for as long as God gives her life. The other Sisters of the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary in Kingsville, most of who are retired from ministry, have spent several years raising funds to build the chapel at 408 E. Richard Ave.
Mother Julia Navarrete Guerrero did not inherit an already made congregation when she came to rural Kingsville in 1916. The founder of the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary had to overcome great trials to build up the chapel and the faith of the people of Kingsville. Now, more than 95 years after her coming, she continues to serve.
The Diocese of Corpus Christi is honored to have had a future saint walk among its people in Kingsville and south Texas who has left a legacy of religious education that everyone can embrace as a ministry for young people as they begin their journey into spiritual excellence.