For women who have experienced homelessness

and are ready to rebuild their lives

JUNE 2023 (Continued)

"Our sister Julia Greeley ... hid her beautiful heart

in the glorious presence of Almighty God"

— Bishop Jorge Rodriguez

One might wonder — if Julia had been told how she would be regarded after her death, what would she have made of it?


On the 105th anniversary of her death, June 7, 2023, Julia's obscure and difficult life - born into slavery, disabled and poor - was remembered at Mass in the vast Cathedral Basilica in Denver, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez, and honored by a large band of prayerful supporters, some wearing banners emblazoned with her name.


Julia, who lived in a modest room on Walnut Street in old Denver, now rests her bones in a marble tomb near the main altar of the Cathedral. She is the only person, laity or clergy, to be so honored.


Here are some moments from Julia's Greeley's June 7th birthday -- the day she entered into eternal life in 1918 and began her path to sainthood.

"We are all called to be saints," said Bishop Rodriguez. Julia Greeley showed how to answer that universal call even through her difficult and painful life. Today she is honored by the Church as Servant of God, the first step on the journey to canonized sainthood. "I would love to know how she prayed," Bishop Rodriguez said. "Her life was one of humiliation, pain, servitude, always in the last place ... first place was not for her. She (only) wanted first place with God ... she only knew a great God of love."

Amy Wagner, a member of the Julia Greeley Guild, with Father Blaine Burkey OFM Cap, author of Julia's biography, In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart. Fr Burkey is also a founder of the Julia Greeley Guild, the local Denver-based organization which handles matters about Julia's cause for sainthood. Contact the Guild at juliagreeley.org to find out how to order Fr Burkey's book, and for information on how to send reports to Rome of miracles received through Julia's intercession. (Ironically, Julia, who was legendary in life as a hard worker, still has work to do -- praying to God for miracles on our behalf!)

Mary Leisring, (reading at left) is president and director of the Julia Greeley Guild, and served as lector during the June 7 Mass. Mary has been a Julia Greeley supporter for 20 years and more, and has been president of the Guild since Julia's cause for sainthood was introduced in 2016.

Bishop Rodriguez speaks eloquently each year on Julia's anniversary: "We ask her to pray for us today, and we ask the Lord to give the grace one day to have Julia raised on the altar (as a canonized saint.)"

Red is everywhere at Julia's anniversary Mass. Why? It's the color that reflects the deep love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for each of us ... Julia had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart, and she died on the actual Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 7, 1918.

We've asked Julia to watch over the women of the Julia Greeley Home, who are courageously rebuilding their lives, each in their own way, just as Julia rebuilt her life despite sorrow and pain. These are some of the many women you have watched over too, by way of your prayers and support. God bless you for giving of your time and treasure!


To read "Part One" of our June 2023 Newsletter, please click on https://conta.cc/3oHV9cj



Julia Greeley rose every day

to face her daily challenges with courage.

She is an exceptional example to women - and to all people! - everywhere




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Julia Greeley Home Inc
Mailing address: 3613 Wyandot Street
Denver, Colorado 80211


The Julia Greeley Home Inc. is a 501(c)(3) registered in Colorado.