On behalf of Sister Consuelo Ramirez and Sister Maxie Cruz and the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin, the public is invited to the celebration June 22 of Venerable Mother Julia Navarette’s Eighth Anniversary Veneration at the Solemn Place of Prayer, located at 400 E. Richard.

Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.

It was around 1916 that Mother Julia came to Kingsville to establish the order of the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. She established the order in Aguascalientes, Mexico before venturing into Texas. During her early years, Venerable Mother Julia had a tremendous calling to provide biblical education to young and old alike as a method of bringing everyone closer to Christ.

Her zeal to promote the word of the Lord through biblical instruction led her to Kingsville, where she established a convent for the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary.

In June 2002, Mother Julia was recognized as Venerable at the Vatican in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

There are four stages on the road to sainthood that include Servant of God, Venerable, Beatification (Blessed), and then Canonization as Saint.

Venerable Mother Julia who came to Kingsville and Robstown to establish convents to carry out her ministry of religious education, especially young adults entering the challenges of life.

Establishing many convents throughout the U.S., Mexico and Peru for religious education, Venerable Mother Julia is considered a symbol of missionary excellence for all to embrace.

Sister Maxie Cruz, who is presently with the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin in Kingsville, came to know Venerable Mother Julia in her later years and was at her bedside during her last hour.

A dedicated sister and diligent worker for Venerable Mother Julia’s cause, Sister Maxie is the keeper of some of the most precious belongings of Venerable Mother Julia.

Already considered by many as a saint who walked among people here in South Texas, she has left a legacy of religious education all can embrace as a ministry for youth as they begin their journey into spiritual excellence.

The program entails developing the grounds and original building where Venerable Mother Julia lived and taught religious education. The site is one street block long where Venerable Mother Julia established the first Convent in Kingsville. The site will also have a Catholic Educational Center where Sisters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary will continue their ministry to teach young biblical education. The chapel has been restored and plans continue to restore the “Cuartito” or room where Mother Julia taught Bible classes.

The original “Cuartito” is next to the Chapel on site approximately where it stood in 1916. The cause of Saints in the Catholic Church is a very special honor and exemplified by those closest to Jesus and by those whose miracles have graced human kind.