Vatican OKs investigation into Cora Evans sainthood cause
By Valerie Schmalz
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-oks-investigation-into-cora-evans-sainthood-cause/
San Francisco, Calif., Jul 13, 2012 / (CNA).- The Vatican has approved a complete investigation into the cause of sainthood of a former Mormon wife and mother who reported visions of Jesus and a mission to promote “The Mystical Humanity of Christ.”
The March 29 letter of approval from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to Monterey Bishop Richard Garcia was necessary for further investigation into the life of Cora Evans.
Evans, who was baptized in 1935 in Utah after becoming disillusioned by the Mormon faith, died March 30, 1957, near Monterey. She reported visions of Jesus and the saints and a mission from Jesus to promote the “Mystical Humanity of Christ,” the idea that Christ is always within us and we should behave always as Christ would, said Mike McDevitt, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Pillar in Half Moon Bay, who is the promoter of Evans’ cause of sainthood. The spirituality is also focused on praying the Mass.
Evans’ two children, husband Mack, and many family and friends followed her from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into the Catholic faith.
The letter from Congregation Prefect Cardinal Angelo Amato granted the nihil obstat for “the Cause for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God, Cora Louise Evans.”
“While canon law clearly states that there is no certainty that Cora Evans will become a saint, the nihil obstat indicates Vatican approval for the process to proceed,” McDevitt said.
Bishop Garcia appointed Marianist Father David Schuyler to take testimony of approximately eight eye witnesses, including Evans’ daughter, McDevitt said. A theological review of Evans’ writings will begin and a historical commission will collect relics and other materials. The completed dossier will be sent to Rome.
For the Catholic Church to declare someone a saint, a miracle must occur and be verified after the cause of sainthood is opened. That will lead to the person being declared Blessed. After beatification, another miracle must occur and be verified for canonization, that is, sainthood.
From July 13, 2012 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
The Cause for Cora Evans
www.parishretreat.org/index.php?id=story
After thorough review of the writings of Cora Evans, the story of her life and the heroic choices she made, the untold personal sacrifices and the suffering she endured for the cause of our Catholic faith, we are convinced of her creditability and concluded: Cora Evans was commissioned by Our Lord to promote the Mystical Humanity of Christ as way of prayer for the faithful throughout the world.
We conducted an extensive examination of Cora’s outstanding evangelical virtues, combined with an abundance of eyewitness statements, the vast number of accounts written about her, and the testimony of her distinguished spiritual director affirming her mission.
Her story includes the hundreds of Mormon conversions to Catholicism she personally influenced, the impact she had on the spiritual lives of people, the effect the Mystical Humanity as a way of prayer continues to have on the lives of thousands of the faithful today. Her mystical gifts serve as an additional sign of authenticity, and included in the story of her remarkable life are the miracles attributed to her intercession.
For all these reasons, the Church accepted our petition and opened the cause for Cora Evans – it will benefit the Universal Church.
Remarkable Story
A Servant of God
Cora Louise Evans was born in 1904, and she passed away March 30, 1957. Her first mystical experience, an apparition of the Blessed Mother, was at the age of three. Many years would pass before she understood the vision. It is the lead story in the autobiography of her mystical life, Captain of the Ship.
She was raised a Mormon and was married at the well-known Mormon temple in Salt Lake City. That event was the turning point in her life. She left the secret ceremony disenchanted with Mormonism, especially the doctrine that placed man-made gods above the God of Abraham. She began a ten-year search for the truth, which culminated with her conversion to the Catholic faith.
The life story of Cora Evans, wife and mother, is that of a remarkable mystic who practiced Christian virtues (faith, hope and charity) and earned a reputation for holiness. Cora’s gifts of mysticism: the odor of sanctity, suffering the wounds of Christ – stigmata – and magnificent writings are not, in and of themselves, sufficient grounds for the declaration of sainthood. It is the story of her life with the proof of heroic virtues that place everything else in context.
Relevance of the Cause
Cora Evans was commissioned by Our Lord to write the things that were made known to her for the good of the Universal Church. Her writings introduce the devotion to Christ in His Mystical Humanity, a way of prayer life both ancient and new.
The Mystical Humanity of Christ calls upon the faithful to live with a heightened awareness of the living indwelling presence of the resurrected Christ in their daily lives. It is a daily spiritual communion that draws the individual to Sacramental communion, the Eucharist, with greater frequency.
Saints are known by their stories and the story of Cora Evans is a journey from her early years in Utah, and her first mystical experience, to her time in Southern California under the spiritual direction of Father Frank Parrish, S.J.
Her marriage in the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City had a profound impact on her life and led her beautiful conversion story
Mormon Marriage
Cora was looking forward to her marriage with great anticipation. She had read on the temple door that the temple proper was the House of God and she thought she would “see God in the confines of the temple walls.” No one would tell her anything about the ceremony itself other than her grandmother who told her she would be assisted in the process.
Before entering the temple for the first time for their marriage no Mormon has the slightest idea about what will take place in the ritual. It is a secret. In her account of the experience Cora wrote, “I was a true loyal Mormon at the hour of entering the temple, but nearly a confirmed atheist when I left the temple building after the marriage ceremony.”
Cora and Mack were married. There had been no flowers, no music, and no ring.
They left the temple at 4:30 p.m. Mack gave Cora the wedding ring in the tunnel room on the way out. Cora found the whole Temple ritual a farce and unsavory. She considered Mormonism a sex-oriented, polytheist religion based on fear and secrecy to vows taken with unholy oaths under threats. Cora’s comment summed up her feelings about her wedding day, “I was without a God and religion, but had gained a very wonderful husband. As I looked at him and learned to love him more and more I resolved to help find a God for him.”
Early Chronology
July 9, 1904 Birth of Cora Louise Evans
1912 Mormon Baptism
June 4, 1924 Marriage in Mormon Temple, Salt Lake City
September 24, 1925 Birth of Cora’s first child, Cora LaVonne Evans
January 23, 1928 Birth of son, Robert Evans
October 13, 1928 Death of son Robert
March 9, 1930 Birth of daughter, Dorothy Ruth Evans
Conversion Story
It was during this time that Cora picked up the Bible and searched for answers. She had no interest in reading the Book of Mormon and she found comfort in reading Scripture. She had studied almost every religion. Because of the deep prejudice and fear instilled from early childhood Cora ignored the study of Catholicism.
On Sunday, December 9, 1934, Cora was quite ill. Mack bundled her in warm blankets and gave her a hot water bottle before he left for work. He turned the radio to station KSL, a program of music. LaVonne was home and able to help out with their younger child Dorothy so Cora could rest. As a rule, when the radio program switched from music to the Catholic Hour Cora would change the station. On this occasion she was too ill to get out of bed. She had to endure listening to Monsignor Duane Hunt (Later he would become the Most Reverend Duane Hunt, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City). He spoke of Mary as the Mother of God (the humanity of Christ) and quoted Isaiah in preparation for Christmas, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel,” (Is 7:14); “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rest. . . His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,” (Is 9:5-6).
Confront a Priest
Cora was disgusted that a religion could honor a mere woman and angered by the notion that Catholic’s were Mary worshipers. She resolved to confront a Catholic Priest as soon as she recovered. A few weeks later she phoned the rectory at Saint Joseph Catholic Church and spoke to the assistant pastor, Father William E. Vaughn (later he would become Monsignor Vaughn and be assigned Pastor, Saint Ambrose Parish, Salt Lake City). He offered to visit her house and respond to her questions in person.
In reflecting on his meeting with Cora, Monsignor Vaughn later wrote, “She had become disillusioned with the L.D.S. religion. She declared that she was systematically studying all religions. The first session with Mrs. Evans was a long one and we talked of many things including the Holy Trinity. The L.D.S. religion has a very pagan approach to the Trinity and the Catholic teaching in its total spirituality is especially hard for them to grasp.” Cora interested in learning more about the phrase “Immaculate Conception of Mary,” and they decided to meet again.
Mack was angry that a Catholic Priest would actually be invited to enter their home. What would their Mormon neighbors think? His response was to invite Mormon Elders to come to their home and pray over Cora. And he demanded equal time for Mormon Elders if the priest visited again. During his second visit, Father Vaughn talked about the Blessed Mother and the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. He called it the “True Presence” and spoke of the indwelling presence of Christ and told Cora that Catholics received Him even daily. Cora began to see how his words fit with her childhood experiences. Cora wanted to learn more and Father Vaughn invited her to come by the Church and avail herself of the many pamphlets in the vestibule rack. That evening the Elders made their second visit and prayed over Cora. Cora challenged them regarding the Trinity and quoted the Bible: Jesus said He was one with the Father (see Jn 17: 21). Joseph Smith said they were two separate Gods with body, parts and passions (Book of Mormon). The more the Elders talked the more confused they became by their own arguments until they finally left.
One evening Cora asked Mack to take her to Saint Joseph Church to pick up a few pamphlets. Here is how Monsignor Vaughn tells the story, “It took a lot of courage for her to ring that doorbell that evening. She and her husband, Mack Evans, sat in their car for 45 minutes trying to work up the courage to go in. They even talked about passing by this religion in their search for the truth. Finally, Mack lost his courage and remained in the car while she came in alone.”
Cora picked out a few pamphlets. She was captivated by the interior beauty of the Church. She prayed for understanding. The angel lady had told Cora to always pray for Mormons. Now she understood that Mormons were in need of prayers.
Baptism
She and Mack decided to enroll in a convert and inquiry class. Three months later, on Saturday, March 30, 1935, Father Vaughn officiated at the Baptism of Cora Evans and her two children. On Sunday, she received her first Holy Communion at Mass.
In his letter, Monsignor wrote, “She was especially attracted to the teachings of the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother. Her life became centered on the Blessed Sacrament and she began spending time in prayer at the church. In her subsequent apostolic work she spoke of these two favorite teachings with much greater depth than I had taught her.”
Three months later, Mack was baptized a Catholic. The Elders had told them their skin would turn black if they became Catholics. Obviously, this was another falsehood, but they were about to experience a different manner of hardship because they were rejected by Mormon family members and viewed as outcast among former friends. Mack’s business eroded. It is difficult for people living outside of Utah to understand the sacrifices made by converts from Mormonism in Utah.
Mystical Experiences
Two-edged Sword
During the following year, July, 1938, Cora would have a mystical experience and make a choice that would radically change her life and set in motion the steps to establish a magnificent devotion in the Catholic Church, the Mystical Humanity of Christ. On that first Friday morning, Mack woke up to find Cora on the floor, fully clothed. Her body was stiff and he was unable to revive her. Even though he thought she was dead he called the fire department. When the Ogden City firemen arrived they could detect no vital signs – no heart beat, no respiration – her blood pressure was unreadable, her pupils were dilated and her eyes were fixed. Although they thought it was hopeless they decided to administer oxygen, but before they could do so Cora revived. She didn’t need help standing up and she was not even dizzy. The firemen were astonished. One moment they were looking at a body in rigor mortis, the next moment Cora was wishing them a nice day. This statement by Saint John of the Cross provides insight into the state of mind of the mystic, “Few souls ever experience it (night of the spirit), and those who do find themselves rendered rightfully speechless.” Here is the story she could not tell the firemen, a story they would not have understood.
By medical standards, Cora had died. In reality; she had been taken by Our Lord in the deepest ecstasy. She described the ecstasy as a mystical experience of neither death nor life. Jesus appeared to her as a shepherd. Together they sped “away from the din of earth,” Cora delighted in receiving infused knowledge of God. In her written account of the ecstasy she quotes scripture, “Oh death you have no sting,” (1 Cor 15: 50 – 58). She asked Our Lord, “O sublimeness of God, is death like this?” Jesus explained, “You are not dead yet and so you question.” He continued, “You have ventured far into the land of meditation, and now my reward for you is greater life – contemplation.” With His arms outstretched, one arm extended toward Cora’s eternal home and the other toward her people (Mormons) her on earth. He asked Cora a question, “Who has greater peace?” Cora could hear the noise of clanking chains on the ground and knew the sound symbolized people chained to sin, suffering and troubles.
Heroic Choice
Jesus said, “You choose, for I would not take away free-will. That gift is yours.” Cora felt pity for her people and wished to go back to help them. Jesus responded to her desire, “I want you to become a pillar of fire – a column of strength. Give God the Father a challenge – would He cut you apart with His two-edged sword? Is there a mission? Is a soldier lost? Is the fisherman’s net broken? For these reasons God might sever soul and spirit if you are fire enough.” By an act of her free will – while in ecstasy – Cora made the decision to live the rest of her life in a constant state of readiness for Our Lord’s call to union with Him. It was a heroic choice.
Citizen of Two Worlds
Through the infusion of knowledge Cora understood the meaning of Our Lord’s words and the two-edge sword. She had chosen earth over heaven. Jesus told her that this was his “hour to teach.” Through her free consent an indissoluble oath was taken. Cora would be living a life in reparation for her heritage people, the Mormons, and their conversion. She rejoiced, “Lord, Your life of the resurrection in me can never die. Death, you hold no fear for me.” She heard Jesus speak these words, “The bridge between the eons of contempt for the world and contemplation into My life is but a short span. It is an easy path. Use My cross – it is the bridge. Live My name. Breathe My name – become My name, for have I not welcomed you to be the forger? Allow the clay of you to speak to the Father for Me. In My name all power is yours, with it you will unlock the cathedral doors of your inner heart and I will enter in.” Cora was now a citizen of two worlds: a citizen of the meditative and a citizen of the contemplative world of Jesus.
Jesus told Cora that the knowledge was not for her benefit, but rather for the instruction of the faithful and conversion of Mormons. Jesus assigned an Angel to aid Cora in her divinely appointed mission when He said, “Your mission is grave; therefore, I must loan you an angel. He will instruct and be your treasure of heritage of which you have none.” Jesus had taken Cora at her word when she exercised her free will. He continued, “You will be oppressed and feel yourself an obtrusion and mere ornament for the world – yet, you will be making new nets.”
Life of Purgation
Cora was shown what would have happened from three different perspectives: had she died as a Mormon, as nearly an atheist, and as a Catholic. She was grateful and humble. Our Lord told her, “Your returning life, until death greets you again, will be purgation for self and friends.” It appears from this statement that Cora’s soul had been judged and the remainder of her life would be a form of purgation. For the rest of her life Cora endured a great deal of suffering. She always prayed to unite her suffering, mental and physical, to the passion of Christ.
Mystical Martyrdom
Cora heard a trumpet. Jesus was gone. Her Angel appeared in the assumed form of a young man who she would later learn was the one Tobias wrestled. Intuitively she knew the Angel would escort her home. She was fearful and begged her Angel not to leave her. He assured her, “You alone hold the power of my nearness in your free will.” He continued, “Your death and its path of reliving again allowed you a moment’s happiness as only the delights of the two-edged sword can give in a flash . . . to die and come back is martyrdom . . . at times, and even on the hour, you will take flights into ecstasy . . . upon you He will chisel His signs and wonders . . . to complete His life in you is to know loneliness – such as God knew when He stepped across the eons of timeless time into the reality of time and became a prisoner in His Mother’s flesh.” He explained the purpose of her future writings and advised Cora to wear humility as a gown. The ecstasy was over. The firemen were gone. Her family left her alone. She was struck with drabness of earth and yet she had a perfect memory of the mystical events that had taken place. She wept, “O life of bitter monotony – I’m coming, have ready my chalice of myrrh. Lord, give me clear vision – for in crystal depths there is truth.”
One mystical phenomenon is fragrances, heavenly fragrances, often associated with the fragrance of roses and not dependent on roses actually being present. Cora was favored with these fragrances throughout her life; a comfort for a person who found the world unbearable. She was now a citizen of two worlds.
Mystical Marriage
The above reference to the two-edged sword may assist readers in more fully understanding Mystical marriage. In a general sense Mystical marriage is the state of a soul intimately united to God. Being espoused to Christ (see 2 Cor 11:2) is a choice made by those entering religious life. This type of spiritual betrothal is transitory in nature.
There is a deeper and transforming union between God and a soul that can be used to describe Mystical marriage in the lives of a few privileged souls. In this form of Mystical marriage, experienced by Cora Evans, the soul (bride) is called by God to be in permanent union or fusion with Christ (bridegroom) without losing its own unique identity.
The next morning before Mass Cora prayed that her Mormon family and friends would read her eventual writings. She hoped they would “drop anchor and become weavers of Peter’s nets,” saving souls. Cora’s sister, Ruth, recalled Cora’s advice, “Drop anchor at the Blessed Sacrament.” After Mass she walked the Stations of the Cross at Saint Joseph’s. During her prayers for the intention of the Holy Father, she went into ecstasy. Jesus appeared to her carrying His chalice. He had jeweled rings on His fingers. Cora in childlike wonder was enthralled by the reflection of light coming from His rings and Jesus told her that He wore the rings in the hope that He could award them to her for a “perfection won – even in the smallest detail.”
During this ecstasy Cora gained a better understanding of her assignment and its duration. She knew she must reach for the virtues symbolized in the rings. The first ring symbolized purity of intention, the second represented any form of martyrdom, the third ring, which had embedded the symbol of His Sacred Heart – His love for all Christendom, represented brother’s keepers. Jesus called the forth ring a treasure, “The keepers of My knowledge wear this.” For Cora it symbolized her mission. Jesus described the fifth ring as a great sacramental – “the effects of My Indwelling.” He said that those who wear this ring are “placed under the protection of Paul. He knew My indwelling and he reached for these gifts and he prays for the friends who practice his laws that they might receive a greater gift of perseverance.” Cora would receive all five of the rings.
Jesus explained the symbolic meaning of the rings, “All these rings and their symbols represent a wedded love – the way God would love – mystical marriage only means a perfect balance – ascent and consent of the soul into Spirit where it is gowned and becomes absorbed in God. All mystical marriages are to become Godded – but the crown is heavy – and can be worn only while in Heaven’s atmosphere. Then man must descend. He will find his heart heavy. Yet, his mind will remember the transcending gifts. With these equal joys and equal sorrows he lives – only with the hope that he will rise again.”
In addition to these five rings, Cora saw a plain wide gold wedding band on her ring finger alongside her earthly one. She knew it was a confirmation of grace and a mystical marriage with her spiritual spouse. Cora is not the only mystic to have this experience. Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) had a wedding band placed on her finger by Our Lord. Catherine was the only one who could perceive it. Later Jesus would tell Cora, “Wisdom is God’s gift through prayer and wisdom is the wedding ring of God – with its joy there is no despair.” She heard the tones of a violin – “He was gone. I wept.”
Astonishing Visions
Cause of Sin
During the ensuing months, Cora received the gift of knowledge during many ecstasies. Her narrative on Purgatory appears in The Captain of the Ship. It is paraphrased and reformatted here for brevity. “My angel ambassador answered, ‘You have asked for the just rights of citizens in the city of Purgatory . . . It is true earthly purgation is yours, but also you must see the spiritual state from which you escaped through God’s mercy.
“Purgation penalties are self forged checks which tell of gluttonous desires and actions above that which was needed in each state of life. When you return to your natural self, and when ecstasy shades are drawn away, warn your living friends not to accept nor expect more in life than is required by their state in life. And when you return to your agony in the Light of God – remember your prayer, ‘Contempt, contempt – all for the love of God.’ All for the love of God means that you love all in God – only sin you abhor. Only the devil wills that man have the excesses in life – over such gluttony in all forms he gloats. The devil is trickery – he dazzles and tinsels human eyes with the unnecessary – pride in this gluttony is the basic cause of all sin.”
Purgatory
The ecstasy continued and Cora reflected on her own soul, “I could not utter a word that I was sorry. Feeling sorry for oneself is not in the atmosphere of Purgatory. Purgatory is a state of perfection. Could anyone then excuse themselves? Would that be perfection? Could anyone blame a friend? Would that be perfection? Would anyone wish revenge? Would that be perfection? None of these faults enter into the minds of the Purgatorial just. I was given knowledge to know that in the eyes of God no one sins alone. Everyone helps in the path of perfection or in its hindrance. Suddenly I was alone.
“God is not a respecter of persons or time. I was alone. For what reason I did not know. Playfully and alone – the roe (represents her soul as Cora sees herself in ecstasy) leaped away from the mountain of God. Such beauty. Overwhelming. Everything was majestic – God’s throbbing heart was in everything! I realized I had to turn from this awesome sight. Was not I a victim? I had to choose the depths of seeing Purgatory, which I had escaped, or return to the burning Light. Both were in my chalice. I would choose the wastelands. I was afraid. I looked again at the thinning mist that hovered around the mountain of God. ALONE! Between two worlds – my identity? I had none. I was just a warrior – without a country. Somehow I knew when these shadows left my mind of reality – and when on earth I walked again among friends, that I would be loved and hated. Then I would be sought after and then quickly forgot. Ah the mystery of two worlds – uninterrupted – with only the desire that friends must be found incorrupt when at death or in vision they should see God.”
Finally, she acknowledges her doubt and source of strength, “I would have signposts too along that great earth – indifferentism would be the title of each. From these, friends would turn away – almost everyone, but with security I would have ONE – God, the Sacred Host. And I must remember too that even Christ’s friends were doubters.”
In Cora’s visionary view souls in Purgatory are darkened by their sins and must become light enough to enter Heaven. They are allowed to take their time. Jesus referred to this as, “My extended mercy.” Heaven has no need of mercy. In God’s Purgatorial Mercy, sins can not be thought about or remembered because this would disturb peace. By removing sins from memory, God removes the possibility of sinning for all time.
In her biography, Ruth Spaulding, Cora’s sister, inserted this note of caution, “Cora began to realize the accountability of knowledge and was glad her soul had already been judged. She also realized the reason for the silence imposed upon her. Persons who would eventually hear her talk or read her writings would be highly accountable because of the knowledge and the grace given to them by God to comprehend and apply. She was deeply humbled.”
Demons
In the phenomena of another vision, Cora watched and heard a man in anger use the word hell. The word seemed to serve as a key opening the door of hell releasing Lucifer’s demons. They were then ordered to swarm the nearby Church. Cora cried out, “Jesus, come save Your church.” Many demons swarmed around Cora although she remained invisible to them. The ecstasy ended with the sound of church bells and Cora heard angels singing, “The gates of hell shall not prevail.” The demons vanished as though driven out by the sounds. They left the church in search of slothful souls. Years later, Cora would caution people against the use of the word hell and the power of the spoken word to do harm to souls.
Mock Mass
Cora described major demons as the ones closest to the light or color of Lucifer. They are always on the prowl for the weak in faith – slothful souls. The lesser powered demons chose for their prey pleasuring seeking souls who have forgotten about Scripture, especially people who know better yet fail to see their role in the work of the Incarnation.
To demons, every person appears as a mini-tabernacle of varying degrees of light. It is easy for them to see a person’s weakness – indifferentism, slander, sloth, fear, atheism, heresy, schism and so forth. In Cora’s mystic view, the world was filled with numerous people partially possessed by demons. It seemed that the lack of concern about God’s grace allowed the demons more time within a particular soul.
Lucifer directs the demons to sew the seeds of apostasy, tell the sick to blame God, blind people to Adam’s fall and original sin, and build false egotism. The devil within a living tabernacle (a human soul) is a terrible sight, but most frightening to Cora was when a man was encouraged, solely for reasons of personal pride and appearances, to attend Mass.
The devil attempts to sow seeds of doubt about the Mass although he does not understand the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
In her ecstasy, Cora saw a Church as half full. She worried about the lukewarm souls as the devils swarmed before the altar tabernacle challenging God to speak. They referred to themselves as shepherds of ease. There was no response from the tabernacle and the devils were left to wonder about the mystery therein. Even souls who are lost in hell are unable to provide an answer. In their search, the devils are constantly frustrated and angry. There are so many self-made gods the devil is confused. Therefore, they pursue people from every religion and cult.
The thought of ‘the end of time’ creates the fear of the unknown among the devils. At that point, there will be nothing left to gain. They believe the more souls they capture, the longer time will last.
From inside the Church, Cora’s attention is drawn to the front doors. There at the entrance, in the assumed form of a black panther stood Lucifer himself. He is hideous, frightening and vile beyond words.
The panther pranced down the center aisle, his head turning from side to side looking at the souls captured through their indifferentism. The form of the panther changed into the form of a man. Lucifer was about to play the part of the priest. He chanted, “Mine, mine, mine – all mine! I am their King.” At this time during the ecstasy, Cora’s Angel whispered that Lucifer believes the true Messiah was born, but does not know the truth. Since the majority of people on earth do not profess faith in Jesus there is always doubt among demons.
Lucifer takes delight in mocking the Mass. Cora’s Angel tells her to awaken her friends to their grave danger. Lucifer continued his antics, shouting at the Blessed Sacrament, daring God to reveal Himself, crying out, “Behold I am your King.” There is no response.
From the pulpit he ordered his demons to destroy all earth’s altars. Lucifer continued the ritual of the Mass. In her vision, Cora sees two Priests – the good and the evil. When the tabernacle door is opened Lucifer withered in agony. The Mock Mass ended. The panther left the altar.
This astonishing vision took place in 1938, many years before the decline in priestly vocations and the worldwide scandal in the Catholic Church caused by sex-abusive priests.
Night of the Spirit
Follow Truth
Cora was concerned about spiritual guidance for her mystical experiences. While in ecstasy, she wonders aloud where to go for help; her angel answered, “God is now preparing you a director – Directors should know the preternatural and the supernatural. You will know the good of this director for his conversations will be of God and not preternatural. The priesthood powers preserve them from the devil’s fright. You will see yourself hidden in a niche, and the Master coming for His seven victim friends. They are friends – all to play a part. These seven columns the Master will choose to fight heresies – And the one great schism which you will live to see. One of the great doves will wear a golden crown – His beauty and power will be so great that the North will quake.”
In The Captain of the Ship, the dialogue, which is paraphrased here, continues, “Until the time for the director friend, little girl of coral – just follow truth – truth must be your goal. And someday a Sentinel and I will bring a saint to you and he will teach you law and order and scriptural love.” Her angel closes with this reveling statement, “All heresy victims must learn the wisdom of the first commandment. Its truth is life.” The heresy victims referred to are Mormons. The first commandment is “Thou shall not have strange Gods before Me.”
At this point in her life, Cora knows she will have a spiritual director and she longs for the day, “Oh, would that I could call upon that director friend!” Also, she learned that she would have a saint as a teacher.
Symbol of History
As her ecstasy continued with spiritual delights Cora “marveled at such wonder,” and resolved to “teach the love of God to my friends with frankness.” To her angel she said, “The more God teaches me of His kindness and beauty, the more unworthy I am to wish for the sleep of death. It is little wonder that I must have a Purgatorial earth!” Her peace is disturbed with the sound of people weeping. In her mystical vision, Cora sees a wall which she describes as a structure with no meaning or use. She is eager to discover its mystery. As she relates the experience in The Captain of the Ship, she finds it difficult to put into words, “I wished I had the wisdom and gifts of a scribe.”
With her angel by her side, Cora approached a wall, “We stood at the very beginning of the wall. It began with a height of just one inch and steadily its height increased and its depth, regardless of height was barely an inch. Its extravagant balance was absorption of excitement! All I could say was, ‘What an extraordinary God!’” Along the wall she read signs which told of the beginning and end of certain centuries, “Then I knew, this was the symbol of history. It would teach me something from the beginning of time until the end.”
The joy of anticipated learning quickly changed to shock, “On the wall far ahead I read a tremendous sign; the words were in flaming fire: Thou shalt not have strange Gods before Me. All along the wall people took their place facing a niche as though facing a shrine. I could hear people beg for another chance at life.” Cora realized that people were face to face with some earthly object, “a replica to which they had given more time and thought, while they lived on earth, above that of God.” The images in the niches replicated earthly treasures and activities that stole time from God. They included everything imaginable – furs, rings, bracelets, modern art, playing cards, alcoholic drink, money – coins from every Nation. There were countless niches or shrines symbolizing over-indulgence, false esteem, foolishness, superstition (regarding religious medals as charms), intellectual gods, pride, greed, gluttony, lust, scandal and gossip. Cora heard their lamentation, “Look, these useless pieces of colored paper served us as God. We loved their enjoyments and fun above thinking of God. Would that we had listened to the wisdom of the scribes – a time and place for everything. We would have worshiped God and then had our fun in innocent pleasures.”
Contrition
The scene of a wall covered with thousands of golden calves shocked Cora, “Each depicted pagan rituals. The horror of worshiping foreign Gods is beyond the word of man.” As the state of assumed Purgatorial knowledge continued, there was one more scene Cora must see. There on the wall were many niches which held tea-leaves, crystal balls, magic games and books on astrology. Her angel explained why there were no mourners at these shrines, “The people on earth who were so unfortunate as to have made these articles their Gods must be known as the resisters of grace. They cared not to overcome the flesh and self. And even in their death sighs they were not stirred with the fountains of grace – which came to them through the prayers of friends. Now, they are face to face with their god Lucifer in the regions below.” Cora described her spirit as receiving knowledge about justice, “I did not have the thought of mercy, their loss was just.”
When talking about the poor in faith who place their belief in religious items rather than using them as a means to an end, the angel reminds Cora, “The invisible key to salvation is contrition.” Cora wept as she thought about the carelessness of mankind, “What harm he brings to God’s treasures – all because he refuses to study and pray.”
Father Frank Appointed Confessor
Divine Providence
When Father Frank Parrish returned from Connecticut, having completed his one year Tertainship, he was assigned to Loyola High School, Los Angeles, as Chaplin, coach and athletic director. He received a call from Peggy Haggerty who had been visiting with Father Higgins at her home in San Francisco. The purpose of the call was to arrange a meeting between the two priests. On Monday, February 19, Father Higgins and Father Frank met for the first time. There is a circular drive in front of Loyola High and this was the path they walked as Father Higgins told the story of a mystic by the name of Cora Evans. Father Frank knew of Cora, but nothing about her life or mystical experiences. Father Higgins suggested that since both Cora and Father Frank lived in Los Angeles that perhaps he could become her confessor. As a Jesuit priest, this was not a decision Father Frank could make without permission from his superior.
As Divine providence would have it, Father Joseph King, S.J., Provincial of the Jesuits, was visiting Loyola High School at that time. The day after his meeting with Father Parrish, Father Higgins visited Loyola High and brought Cora with him. As they walked up the steps leading to the parlor meeting place, Cora heard an interior voice say, “I’m glad you are bringing me to one of my own.” For the mystic it was the familiar voice of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a Jesuit. Cora did not yet understand the Jesuit connection.
Saint Ignatius Shrine
Loyola High School, Los Angeles
Introduction
The meeting took place in the parlor and in the course of the conversation Cora said that the Master let His presence be known to her. Father King responded that as Cora stood beside the Shrine of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, while being introduced to Father Frank Parrish, he became aware of a strong scent of roses.
Here is a description of that first meeting in the words of Father Frank, “It all began in 1945 when I was stationed at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California. It was at that time that Cora Evans, who had been given special graces by almighty God, came into my life. We were sitting in the parlor with our Very Reverend Father Provincial, Joseph King of the Society of Jesus, another Priest (Father Higgins), Cora Evans and I.
“Suddenly Fr. King exclaimed, ‘I smell a fragrance of roses.’ Well, I didn’t smell anything. I felt like a heretic, but Cora turned to me and said, ‘Don’t worry, Father, you will get that fragrance.’ In a short time, I was called out of the room, because I was athletic moderator at the time, and one of the Priests asked me for my keys to the gymnasium. I gave them to him and as I came back into the parlor I was overwhelmed with this beautiful fragrance of roses. Like she told me, I was being incensed.
Appointed by Provincial
Father Frank Parrish, S.J.
“Afterward, Fr. Provincial asked her a question, ‘You must find it quite difficult to find a Priest to understand you and can help you with confession?’ She said, ‘Yes, I do.’ And, at that time, Fr. King, my Provincial, assigned me to be her confessor. He said, ‘You come here, come here to Fr. Parrish.’
August 13, 1980
Dear Father Frank, Peace of Christ:
This is to confirm the fact that I appointed Father Frank Parrish, S.J., Chaplin to the Boys at Loyola High and spiritual director to Cora Evans in 1945. I also experienced with Father Frank many extraordinary evidences of her sanctity.
Sincerely,
Joseph J. King, S.J.
Father Frank’s Notes
“Many extraordinary events including the mystical fragrance of roses happened very often in the ensuing twelve years during which I took care of Cora Evans spiritually.”
During their visit at Loyola, Cora responded to numerous questions and told of her Mormon family history, the impact of Bishop Duane Hunt’s radio program, her conversion through the instruction of Monsignor William Vaughn, her earthly purgation resulting from her mystical martyrdom and her choice of an earthly life of prayer over heaven (the two-edged sword), ecstasy experienced, praying to be a ‘victim soul’ for Mormons, her willingness to observe a perpetual fast, and the commission to write and promote the Mystical Humanity of Christ. At the request of Father Higgins, Cora showed the visible effects of the stigmata on her hands, which had not bled in a year’s time.
That evening, Father Frank recalled the session and made this notation, “Look on Christ as Someone Whom we can get very close to as a human being. The mystical part comes in with regard to the Blessed Sacrament. Christ is really present in His Humanity in the Eucharist but in a mystical way.”
That same evening, Cora Evans also reflected on the events of the day. She was pleased that the Jesuit Provincial was so aware of the difficulty a mystic has with Confession. From her experience, it seemed that few priests understood mysticism and the ways in which it impacted the spiritual life of a mystic. Imagine hearing the confession of John of the Cross. It would take a special priest to take on such an obligation.
Complete Trust
Cora lived with absolute trust in God and a firm commitment to do His will, and responded in obedience to her spiritual director.
Cora experienced significant suffering from the stigmata as well as personal and physical anguish. She dedicated everything to Jesus. It is not uncommon for mystics to experience mystical phenomena such as fragrances, rigidity, bi-location, added weight during ecstasy, and a continuous strict fast.
Cora never doubted her decision about Father Frank. That summer (the letter is not dated) Cora wrote to Father Frank, “O wonderful Father in Jesus, how can I thank thee? Why even the purple sheen of clouds bend down to earth in peaceful rest when you bless and cheer the weary. Hide me gentle Father in the purple stole of penance, there, for my eternal peace and rest, bend thou my soul as thou would bend the bristles in an artist brush. Paint upon my soul thy way to Jesus, for in thy kind hands I place myself for thee to govern, I trust you in God’s way, His love and manner.” The letter is signed, “Sincerely your friend in Jesus, Cora Evans.” Father Frank also signed the letter as the recipient; perhaps to verify its authenticity.