Blue Bead

The "blue bead" is a notable detail associated with the apparitions of Our Lady of the Universe, which reportedly occurred in the Bronx in 1945. These apparitions center around a young boy named Joseph Vitolo Jr., who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary on a vacant lot near his home on Villa Avenue, adjacent to the Grand Concourse. Beginning on October 29, 1945, and continuing daily until November 14, Joseph described a figure he identified as the Blessed Virgin Mary appearing to him at around 7:00 PM each evening. Among the vivid details he provided was that she held "blue Rosary beads," which became a distinctive element of his account.

Joseph, a 9-year-old Italian-American born to immigrant parents, described the apparition as a woman about five feet tall, dressed in white, standing on a crescent moon, and wearing a crown of twelve stars. The blue Rosary beads she held were particularly striking, accompanied by a golden Magen David (Star of David) on her chest. This imagery echoes traditional Marian iconography, such as Our Lady of Lourdes or Our Lady of Fatima, though adapted with unique symbols like the Star of David. The blue beads were part of the vision that captivated Joseph and, subsequently, the thousands of people who flocked to the site as news of the apparitions spread.

The significance of the blue beads deepens with an intriguing incident Joseph recounted. During one apparition, he claimed that Our Lady’s beads "broke"—an event that remains mysterious and unexplained. A bead then went missing. It’s unclear whether this breaking was intentional, accidental, or symbolic, and no definitive interpretation has emerged. Some speculate it could signify a call to prayer or a disruption meant to emphasize a message, but Joseph did not elaborate extensively on its meaning. The Virgin reportedly urged him to pray the Rosary daily for world peace, suggesting the beads were a central part of her instruction. This aligns with her broader request that a church be built on the site and that people deepen their devotion through prayer.

The blue Rosary beads also featured in the physical and spiritual phenomena reported by witnesses. Joseph would pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be before the Virgin appeared, often entering a state of ecstasy lasting up to an hour, though he perceived it as only 5 to 10 minutes. Observers noted that during these moments, all votive candles at the site extinguished except for a central one, adding to the mystical atmosphere. On Halloween, October 31, 1945, when skeptics in the crowd voiced disbelief, the candles reportedly went out spontaneously, silencing doubters. The blue beads, as a tangible detail in Joseph’s vision, became a focal point for those seeking to understand or connect with the apparitions.

While the Archdiocese of New York never officially investigated or endorsed the apparitions, the site—marked by a shrine Joseph later built—drew tens of thousands of visitors over the years. The blue beads remain a poignant symbol of the events, reflecting both the simplicity of a child’s vision and the profound devotion it inspired. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Universe stands near 3191 Grand Concourse, open to the public, where the faithful still visit to pray, often with Rosaries in hand, echoing the call Joseph received in 1945. The blue beads, though a small detail, encapsulate the blend of mystery, faith, and local lore that defines this Bronx phenomenon.

While there is no definitive explanation for this bead that went missing or why they broke in the first place, it can be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the bead is meant to represent our contribution to praying the Rosary for Peace. Our Lady asked that we pray the Rosary for Peace. This missing bead that broke may be representative of "our part" in this mission of praying the Rosary for Peace. The bead can also represent that Our Lady may return one day to "reclaim" the bead. It can also mean that she left a blessing or a grace for us still on Earth in order to persevere.