Description

This collection contains both original and photocopy material. The collection was made possible by Michael McDevitt, who was appointed Custodian to the Writings of Cora Evans by Rev. Father Frank Parrish, S.J., Evans’ spiritual director. The collection documents Evans’ life and includes her extensive writings along with photographs, relics, artifacts and writings by others about her.

Background

Cora Louise Evans (1904-1957), born in Sandy, Utah. She was raised in the Mormon religion and was married in the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. The ritual left her disillusioned with Mormonism. Her search for God ended ten years later when she became a convert to the Catholic faith. She was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church at Saint Joseph’s in Ogden, Utah in 1935. She moved to Southern California where she was appointed a spiritual director, Rev. Frank Parrish, S.J. who served in the capacity until her death in 1957. It was during this period that Cora wrote extensively about the life of Christ, the Priesthood, and the autobiography of her mystical life. Cora was a wife, mother, author and mystic who suffered the stigmata. When in ecstasy, Cora witnessed many events in the life of Christ that are narrated in her writings. In 2012 she was declared a Servant of God and her cause for canonization is underway.

Extent

11 linear feet (11 record boxes), and 18 books

Restrictions

Copyright is assigned to The Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc. All request for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts or letters must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf to the Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc. as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Availability

Collection is open for research.

Title:

Cora Evans (1904-1957) Personal Papers and Collected Works (1938-1957; CEC)

Dates:

1904-2017

Bulk Dates:

1938-1957

Collection Number:

CEC

Creator:

Evans, Cora, 1904-1957

Collector:

McDevitt, Michael J.

Collection size:

14 linear feet (14 record boxes), and 18 books

Repository:

The Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc.San Mateo, CA 94403

Abstract:

This collection contains both original and photocopy material. The collection was made possible by Michael McDevitt, who was appointed Custodian to the Writings of Cora Evans by Rev. Father Frank Parrish, S.J., Evans’ spiritual director. The collection documents Evans’ life and includes her extensive writings along with photographs, relics, artifacts, and writings by others about her.

Physical location:

Distribution Center

Languages

English

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright is assigned to The Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc. All request for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts or letters must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf to the Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc. as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred Citation

Cora Evans Collection, CEC. The Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc., San Mateo, CA.

Acquisition Information

Father Frank Parrish, S.J., spiritual director of Cora Evans, donated the core collection in 1993, including original manuscripts, letters, and photographs. In subsequent years, the overall collection expanded to include original manuscripts, letters and photographs. Dorothy Evans, daughter of Cora Evans, donated personal notes, letters and artifacts. Bob Spaulding, nephew of Cora Evans, donated copies of manuscripts, and original writings including the writings of his mother, Ruth Spaulding, sister of Cora Evans. The Mary and Doctor Virgil Fortin collection, donated by their daughter, is comprised of original letters and a manuscript, and artifacts. Mary Parrish McDevitt donated copies of manuscripts, personal correspondence, photographs and her written observations of Cora Evans while in ecstasy. Michael McDevitt was responsible for gathering the collection and serves as custodian.

Publication Note

Organized as follows: A, Writings by Cora Evans; B, Miscellaneous writings pertaining to Cora Evans.

Related Materials Collection

Father Frank Parrish, S.J. Collection (FFPC) – The Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc.

Biography / Administrative History

Summary – 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.

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.

In 1945, the provincial of the Jesuits appointed Father Frank Parrish, S.J. to be confessor and spiritual director for a mystic. In this segment documentation addresses the reputation of the person who was entrusted with the responsibility to guide her soul. Also, the researcher will become aware of the importance of his role in her spiritual life.

The Mystical Humanity of Christ calls upon the faithful to live with a heightened awareness of the living indwelling presence of Christ in their daily lives. It is a daily spiritual communion that draws the individual to Sacramental communion, the Eucharist, with greater frequency.

In the summer of 1956 Cora moved to Boulder Creek in Northern California where she completed her final manuscript, I Was a Pilgrim in History. She became ill with cancer and passed away in March of the following year.

Chronology

1904 – 1941 Resides within Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah

July 9, 1904 Birth, Midvale, Utah; child of Laura and Robert Yorgason

1912 Cora is baptized a Mormon (8 years old).

Jun. 4, 1924 Mormon Marriage to Mack Evans, Mormon temple in Salt Lake City (this location is the worldwide headquarters for the Mormon Church). Cora completely rejects Mormon religion based on the secret ritual and what she considers to be false teachings about God. Cora begins ten-year search for the true religion.

Dec. 9, 1934 Future Catholic Bishop is catalyst for Cora’s Conversion – Ogden, Utah: Cora listens to radio talk by Catholic Monsignor Duane Hunt (later he would become Most Reverend Hunt, Bishop of Salt Lake City), decides to visit local Catholic Church.

Mar. 30, 1935 Cora baptized a Catholic by Father William E. Vaughn, Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Ogden, Utah

Mar. 31, 1935 Cora receives her First Holy Communion

1936 – 1939 Cora influences more than 1,000 Mormons to visit Saint Joseph Catholic Church and numerous conversions follow

July, 1938 Ogden, Utah: mysticism – During this deep ecstasy Cora makes choice to serve God for the rest of her life. Describes state of her soul as being intimately united to God. Cora refers to this as her “vow day.”

1941 – 1956 Resides within Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California

Mar 17, 1941 Cora moves to Southern California and is active at Saint Cecilia's Parish.

May 21, 1942 Apparition of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Feb. 20, 1945 Father Frank Parrish, S.J. (1911-2003) appointed confessor and spiritual director by Father Joseph King, S.J., Provincial of the California Province of the Society of Jesus.

Dec. 24, 1946 Mission entrusted to Cora Evans reveled to her by Jesus. Cora learns she is to promulgate the Mystical Humanity of Christ (the Divine Indwelling) within souls – as a way of prayer in the United States and throughout the world. Jesus promises to foster the devotion.

1945-1957 Based on ecstasies, and in complete obedience to her spiritual director, Cora writes numerous profound manuscripts and diaries.

Mystical Phenomena witnessed by priests, religious, and lay people. Many testimonies are written.

Jul. 30, 1947 Stigmata- Cora begins experiencing the stigmata. She endures frequent pain for the rest of her life in the palms of her hands, head (crown of thorns), feet and over her heart.

1948 Cora prays that Our Lord will allow her to be like the Little Flower, Saint Therese, helping souls on earth after her death.

1956 – 1957 Resides within Diocese of Monterrey, California

1956 Cora moves to Boulder Creek in Northern California, Saint Michael Parish.

Jan. 4, 1957 Most Reverend Duane Hunt (1884-1960), Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, visits Cora at her home in Boulder Creek, California.

Mar. 30, 1957 Cora enters Eternal Life. Twenty-two years earlier on this same date, March 30 (1935) Cora was baptized a Catholic.

Burial in crypt in the Fatima Wing of the Mausoleum adjacent to the site where the California Jesuits are buried in Santa Clara, California.


Scope and Content of Collection

The Remarkable Story
Saints are known by their stories and therefore her remarkable story takes the reader 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.

Researchers will learn the profound impact of her marriage in the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City, her beautiful conversion story, and the life changing ecstasy referred to as mystical martyrdom.

It becomes clear, from the very earliest stages in Cora’s life, that Our Lord was calling her for His unique purpose, promulgation of the Mystical Humanity of Christ throughout the world. In addition, The Mock Mass, Night of The Spirit, and Vow Day – astonishing visions – are included in the archive collection.

The reader will gain many personal insights and observations about Cora from the journal of Brother Sabinus Edward Behan, F.S.C., and many others.

Purpose and Mission
Cora lived with absolute trust in God and a firm commitment to do His will, and responded in obedience to her spiritual director.

The distinctive language of mysticism is explained and the archive includes the ultimate purpose of Cora’s life, and the intended outcome of the mission given to her by Our Lord.

Cora experienced significant suffering from the stigmata as well as personal and physical anguish. She dedicated everything to Jesus as is explained in the writing titled, Victim Souls. 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. In addition to describing these occurrences in Cora’s life, the archive search reveals her courageous virtues and characteristics.

A Daughter’s Journal
In her personal journal, which she titled, A Woman of Resolute Love – My Mother by Dorothy Ruth Evans, Cora’s daughter, shares the unique insights that can only be found in a mother-daughter relationship.

Diary, Writings and Prophecy
The available documents include Cora’s diary and all her writings. One of the significant findings in Cora’s writings we termed a prophecy. Although Cora did not use the term, the magnitude of the subject warrants its use. Her writings reveal the burial place of the incorrupt body of John the Baptist and the chalice used at the Last Supper. For the good of the Church we signed, dated, and notarized this information.

Popular Piety
There is steady growth among the faithful who value the Mystical Humanity of Christ as a way of daily prayer. The archive includes many photographs of the faithful and enthusiastic quotes from adherents throughout the United States.

Artifacts
The archive maintains an extensive inventory of items belonging to Cora Evans some of which are associated with mystical experiences, such as a cloth with bloodstain from wounds of her stigmata. The inventory includes all her

Arrangement

There are 6 series in the collection. They house: biographical information, written correspondences, Cora’s original writings and copies, photographs and audio/visual materials, artifacts and relics, and information pertaining to her Sainthood cause and popular piety.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection.

Subjects

• Evans, Cora 1904-1957
• Parrish, Frank, Father, S.J. 1911-2003
• Mysticism
• Mystical Humanity of Christ
• Divine Indwelling
• Mormonism
• Conversion to Catholicism
• Stigmata
• Ecstasy
• Mystical Fragrances
• Fasting
• Crochet

Series 1: Biographical

Physical Description: 13 folders

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains personal accounts of Cora’s life by family, friends, and theologians.

box-folder 1 / 1 Ruth Spaulding – Golden Arrowing into His Heart

box-folder 1 / 2 Brother Edward Behan, F.S.C. – An Introduction to the Mystical Events in the Life of Cora Evans (Original)

box-folder 1 / 3 Brother Edward Behan, F.S.C. – An Introduction to the Mystical Events in the Life of Cora Evans (2 Edited Copies)

box-folder 1 Brother Edward Behan, F.S.C. – An Introduction to the Mystical Events in the Life of Cora Evans (Early Edition, Yellow Binder)

box-folder 1 / 4 Mary Parrish McDevitt – Beloved of the Master (1 Partial Handwritten Original, 1 Original and 3 Copies

box-folder 1 / 5 Mary Parrish McDevitt – Notes (2 Notebooks)

box-folder 1 / 6 Mary Parrish McDevitt – Shorthand Notes (6 Notebooks)

box-folder 2 / 1 Michael McDevitt – Jim Ware (Cora’s Godson) Letters (Originals) and 2 Typed Copies

box-folder 2 / 2 Dorothy Evans (Cora’s Daughter) – A Woman of Resolute Love—My Mother (2 Original Handwritten Notebooks and 2 Copies)

box-folder 2 / 3 Dorothy Evans – The Our Father

box-folder 2 / 4 Father Frank Parrish, S.J. – Notes

box-folder 2 / 5 Father Frank Parrish, S.J. – Homily Notes—Cora’s Funeral

box-folder 2 / 6 Mary Fortin – Notes

box-folder 2 / 7 Albert Vogl – Cora Evans: An American Mystic

Series 2: Correspondence

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains correspondence to and from Cora Evans.

box-folder 2 / 8 Miscellaneous Letters to and from Cora

box-folder 3 Letters from Cora Evans to the Fortins (6 Binders)

Series 3: Original Writings

Physical Description: 43 folders

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains original writings by Cora Evans and copies from friends and family.

box-folder 4 / 1 The Refugee from Heaven – Ruth Spaulding (Cora’s Sister) Personal Copy

box-folder 4 / 2 The Refuge from Heaven – Barbara and Bob Spaulding (Cora’s Nephew) Personal Copy

box-folder 4 / 3 The Refuge from Heaven – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 4 / 4 The Refuge from Heaven – Mary Parrish McDevitt (Father Frank Parrish’s Sister) Personal Copy

box-folder 4 / 5 The Refuge from Heaven – Pam and Mike McDevitt (Father Frank Parrish’s Nephew) Personal Copy

box-folder 4 / 6 The Refuge from Heaven – Pam and Mike McDevitt (Father Frank Parrish’s Nephew) Duplicate Copy

box-folder 4 / 7 The Refuge from Heaven – Pam and Mike McDevitt (Father Frank Parrish’s Nephew) Duplicate Copy

box-folder 4 / 8 The Refuge from Heaven – Mary and Virgil Fortin’s Unauthorized Self-Published Version

box-folder 4 / 1 The Refuge from Heaven Duplicate Copy

box-folder 4 / 2 The Refuge from Heaven Duplicate Copy

box-folder 4 / 3 The Refuge from Heaven Duplicate Copy

box-folder 4 / 4 Captain of the Ship – Early Edition

box-folder 4 / 5 Captain of the Ship – Early Edition

box-folder 4 / 6 Captain of the Ship – Early Edition

box-folder 5 / 1 I Was a Pilgrim in History: His Story – Glossary Typed by Bob Spaulding With Handwritten Notes by Michael Huston

box-folder 5 I Was a Pilgrim in History: His Story – Early Edition (Blue Binder)

box-folder 5 I Was a Pilgrim in History: His Story – Early Edition Retyped by Bob Spaulding, Part I (White Binder)

box-folder 5 I Was a Pilgrim in History: His Story – Early Edition Retyped by Bob Spaulding, Part II (White Binder)

box-folder 6 / 1 Letter Lessons – Original

box-folder 6 / 2 Letter Lessons – Copies Belonging to Christian Brother Anselm, F.S.C.

box-folder 6 / 3 Letter Lessons – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 6 / 4 Letter Lessons – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 6 / 5 Letter Lessons – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 6 / 6 Letter Lessons – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 6 / 7 Letter Lessons – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Personal Copy

box-folder 7 / 1 Rosary of Saints – Original

box-folder 7 / 1 Rosary of Saints – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Copy

box-folder 7 / 1 Rosary of Saints – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 1 Rosary of Saints – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 2 Meditation on Priests – Copy

box-folder 7 / 3 Tree of Everlasting Life – Original

box-folder 7 / 3 Tree of Everlasting Life – Barbara and Bob Spaulding Copy

box-folder 7 / 3 Tree of Everlasting Life – Other Copy

box-folder 7 / 3 Tree of Everlasting Life – Other Copy

box-folder 7 / 4 Tree of Everlasting Life – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 4 Tree of Everlasting Life – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 4 Tree of Everlasting Life – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 4 Tree of Everlasting Life – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 4 Tree of Everlasting Life – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 / 5 Gems – Source Document

box-folder 7 / 5 Gems – Source Document

box-folder 7 / 5 Gems – Little Thoughts

box-folder 7 / 6 Gems – Duplicate Copy

box-folder 7 Gems – Binder Copy

box-folder 7 Gems – Binder Copy

Series 4: Photographs and Audio/Visual Materials

Physical Description: 1 box

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains photographs, audiotapes, and videotapes of Cora Evans and her friends and family.

box-folder 8 Photograph Binder

box-folder 8 Audiotapes

box-folder 8 DVD – Darryl Hickman Interview

box-folder 8 DVD – Dorothy Evans Interview

Series 5: Artifacts and Relics

Physical Description: 1 box

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains artifacts and relics for Cora Evans.

box-folder 9 Blood-stained Cloth from Stigmata

box-folder 9 Rose Petals

box-folder 9 Marriage Certificate

box-folder 9 Personal Items

Series 6: Sainthood Cause and Popular Piety

Physical Description: 11 folders

Scope and Content Note

The Series contains information on Cora Evans’ popularity today.

box-folder 10 / 1 Retreat History

box-folder 10 / 2 Retreat Booklets

box-folder 10 / 3 Feedback from Retreatants

box-folder 10 / 4 Online Following – Google Analytics from website

box-folder 10 / 5 Prayers Solicited/Answered – General

box-folder 10 / 6 Prayers Solicited/Answered – Under Investigation

box-folder 11 / 1 Original Petition

box-folder 11 / 2 Correspondence and Documentation

box-folder 11 / 3 Code of Canon Law (1989)

box-folder 11 / 4 Sanctorum Mater (2007)

box-folder 11 / 5 Acts of the Inquiry