Mystical City of God: Recent Episodes
Her son Peter
Based on the writings of Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda (1602-1665). Her 4-volume set, which was translated into English by Fr. George Blatter (Fiscar Marison), is broadcast in a chapter-by-chapter format allowing you to enjoy the life story of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It‘s deeper than simply the history and has been referred to as the theology of grace. The story begins before creation and concludes at the Blessed Virgin Mary‘s Coronation as Queen of Heaven. These are things God wants you to know and was revealed to Ven. Sr. Mary for the encouragement of the faithful. Don‘t forget to like and follow!
In the Gospel of John 16:12, Jesus says, ”There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.” God referenced this Gospel quote; and told Sister Mary that Jesus was speaking to the world and the information in these books is what He was referring to and the right time is now. God said, ”These words He addressed to all the world, for it was not yet capable of giving full obedience to the law of grace and full assent to the faith in the Son, much less was it prepared to be introduced into the mysteries of his Mother. But now, mankind has a greater need for this manifestation, and this necessity urges Me to disregard their evil disposition. And if men would now seek to please Me by reverencing, believing, and studying the wonders, which are intimately connected with this Mother of Piety, and if they would all begin to solicit her intercession from their whole heart, the world would find some relief. I will no longer withhold from men this mystical City of refuge; describe and delineate it to them, as far as your shortcomings allow. I do not intend that your descriptions and declarations of the life of the Blessed Virgin shall be mere opinions or contemplations, but reliable truth. They that have ears to hear, let them hear. Let those who thirst come to the living waters and leave the dried-out cisterns; let those that are seeking for the light, follow it to the end. Thus speaks the Lord God Almighty!”
You can have no better teachers.
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph distributed the gifts received from the Magi, and how they remained in Bethlehem until their departure for the Presentation at the Temple of the infant Jesus. Our Queen Mary tells us how the Holy Family saw money as a burden and provides a warning saying, "My daughter, by the divine light I knew, better than all other creatures, at what a low value the Most High esteems earthly blessings and riches. Therefore, in my holy liberty of spirit, I felt myself troubled and inconvenienced by the possession of the treasures of the Kings offered to my most holy Son. As in all my deeds I was to shine in humility and obedience, I did not wish to appropriate them to myself, nor dispose of them according to my own will, but according to the wishes of my spouse Joseph. In this resignation I managed to act as if I were his handmaid and as if none of these gifts concerned me in any way; for it is debasing, and for you, weak creatures, very dangerous to appropriate or attribute any of the goods of the earth, be they of material possessions or goods of honor; for all this cannot be done without covetousness, ambition and vain ostentation."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Magi Kings returned to the cave of the Nativity to see and adore the child Jesus, offering the gifts and then returning home avoiding Jerusalem. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we can provide such gifts as well, saying, "My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings offered to my most holy Son; but greater still was the affection with which they offered them and the mystery concealed beneath them. On account of all this, they were most acceptable to his Majesty. I wish that you also offer up similar gifts, thanking Him for having made you poor in condition and profession. For I assure you, my dearest, there is no more acceptable gift to the Most High than voluntary poverty. There are very few in the world in our days who use well the temporal riches and offer them to their God and Lord with the generosity and love of these holy Kings. The poor of the Lord, so numerous in our day, experience and give witness how cruel and avaricious human nature has become; since in their great necessities, they are so little succored by the rich. This gross uncharitableness of men offends the holy angels and grieves the Holy Ghost since they are bound to witness the nobility of the souls so degraded and abased in the service of vile greed of gold with all its evil powers (Sirach 10 20). As if all things had been created for the individual use of the rich, they appropriate them to themselves and deprive the poor, their brothers springing from the same nature and flesh; and denying them even to God, who created and preserves all things, and who can give or take at will. It is most lamentable that while the rich might purchase eternal life with their possessions, they abuse them to draw upon themselves damnation as sense less and foolish creatures (Luke 16 9)."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the three Kings of the orient came to adore the Word made Man in Bethlehem. Our Mother, The Blessed Virgin Mary, tells us that we need to learn from these events saying, "My daughter, the events recorded in this chapter contain much for the instruction of kings and princes and for the other faithful; as for instance, the prompt obedience and humility of the Magi, which men should imitate, and the obdurate wickedness of Herod, which they are to fear and abhor; for each reaped the fruit of his actions. The kings reaped the fruit of justice and other virtues, which they practiced; while Herod reaped those of ambition and pride by which he had usurped the government, and of other vices into which he cast himself without restriction or moderation. But let this remark, together with the other teachings of the holy church, suffice for those that live in the world. To yourself must you apply the doctrine contained in what you have written; always remembering that all the perfection of a Christian life must be founded upon the Catholic truths, and in the constant and firm acknowledgment of them, as they are taught by holy faith. In order to impress them upon your heart, you must profit of all that you read or hear of the divine Writings, and of what is contained in the other devout and instructive books concerning the virtues. Your faith you must accompany by the practice and abundance of all good works, hoping ever in the visitation and coming of the Most High (Titus 2:13)."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Blessed Virgin Mary remained in the portal of the Nativity until the arrival of the Three Kings. Our Heavenly Queen also tells us, "...in the foregoing chapter, you have been instructed not to seek information from the Lord by supernatural means, neither in order to relieve any suffering, nor in order to satisfy a natural hankering of curiosity. Now I exhort you likewise not to yield, for any of these reasons, to the desire of performing any exterior action according to the promptings of nature. For in all the activity of your exterior faculties and senses you must seek to moderate and subject your inclinations, not yielding to them in their demands, although they may have the color of virtue or piety. I was in no danger of going to excess in these affections on account of my sinlessness; nor was there a want of piety in my desire of remaining in the cave, where my most holy Son had been born and had been circumcised. Yet I did not wish to express my desire, even when asked about it by my spouse; for I preferred obedience to this pious inclination, and I knew that it is more secure for the souls and more according to the pleasure of the Lord to seek his will in the counsel and decision coming from other, rather than in their own inclination. In me, this course of action was advisable only on account of the greater perfection contained therein, but in you and in other souls, who are subject to error in their judgment, this rule must be observed most rigorously, so as to prevent and avoid mistakes diligently and discreetly. For in their ignorance and lack of courage, men are easily carried away by their feelings and inclinations toward insignificant things, and very often they occupy themselves with trifles as if they were important matters, and with vanities as if they were realities. All such activity weakens the soul and deprives it of great spiritual blessings, of grace, enlightenment, and merit."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Divine infant was circumcised and received the name, Jesus. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to make special use of this information saying, "...I wish you to consider attentively the blessed favor conferred upon you by being informed of the solicitous care and attention which I lavished upon my most holy and sweetest Son in the mysteries just now described. The Most High does not give you this special light in order only to be regaled by the knowledge of these mysteries but in order to imitate me in all these things as a faithful handmaid and in order to distinguish yourself in rendering thanks for his works in the same measure as you are distinguished in knowing them more fully. Ponder, then, dearest, upon the small return given for the love of my Son and Lord by mortals, and how forgetful of thanks even his faithful continue to be. Assume it as your task, as far as your weak powers allow, to render satisfaction for this grievous offense: loving Him, thanking Him, and serving Him with all your powers, for all the other men who fail to do so. Therefore, you must be an angel in promptness, most fervent and punctual on all occasions; you must die to all earthly things, eliminating and crushing all human inclinations and rising upon the wings of love to the heights of love designed for you by the Lord."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Blessed Virgin Mary was informed of the Divine Will of the Lord, that His Onlybegotten Son should be circumcised, and she confer about it with St. Joseph and the Holy Name of Jesus is brought from Heaven. The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us about how and what to ask in guidance from the Lord saying, "Take notice of the cautiousness with which I proceeded in my duties; since, as regards finding grace in the eyes of the Lord, a vast difference always remains between the efforts of other creatures and my own. Nevertheless, though I held in my arms God himself as his true Mother, I never presumed to ask Him to explain to me anything whatsoever by extraordinary revelation, neither for the sake of knowing it or for the sake of ridding myself of suffering, nor for any other merely human reason; for all this would have been human weakness, vain and vicious curiosity, which could find no room in me. Whenever necessity urged it upon me for the glory of his Majesty, or some circumstances made it unavoidable, I asked permission to propose my wishes. Although I always found Him most favourable, ready to answer me with kindness and mercifully urging me to declare my wishes, I nevertheless humiliated myself to the dust and merely asked Him to inform me of what was most pleasing and acceptable in his eyes."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes what was concealed from the demon concerning the birth of Christ and the event leading up to Jesus' circumcision. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us our affection needs reverence, and our love for God should always contain holy fear. She said, "What I require of you, and all that remains for you to do, is, that you exert yourself in holy emulation to imitate this intercourse and reproduce in yourself the disposition of the angels, the purity of my husband, and to copy in yourself my life, as far as possible, in order to be a fit dwelling-place of the Most High (1st Corinthians 3:17). You must direct all those endeavors, all those desires, and exertions, with which you would have wished yourself to be animated if you had seen and adored my most holy Son in his birth and infancy, toward the fulfillment of this doctrine; for if you imitate me, you may rest secure, that you have me as a Teacher and the Lord for an assured possession of your soul. In this assurance you can speak to Him, embrace Him and delight yourself with Him, as with One who is present; for in order to communicate these delights to the pure and untainted souls, He has assumed human flesh and become a Child. But always look upon Him as the great God, though a Child, in order that your caresses may be guarded by reverence and your love accompanied by holy fear; for the one is due to Him as God, and the other befits his immense bounty and merciful magnificence."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Archangel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Why shepherds? The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that many more could have been notified, if only they had lived different lives. She said, "...take notice of and ponder over the burning love of my most holy Son in communicating Himself to men as soon as He was born, in order to make them immediate partakers of the joyful fruit of his coming. Men do not know of this obligation, because few of them penetrate to the significance of this great blessing, just as there were few who saw the Word at his Birth and thanked Him for his arrival. They are not aware of the cause of their evil state and of their blindness, which neither was nor is to be ascribed to the Lord nor to any fault in his love, but to the sins and the bad dispositions of men. If their own bad dispositions would not impede or make them unworthy of this favor, the same light, which was given to the just, to the shepherds, and to the kings [Magi], would have been granted to all or to many. That there should be so few, will make you understand in what an unhappy condition the world was at the time of the coming of the incarnate Word; and also the unhappiness of the present times, when these mysteries have become so evident and when grateful memory of them has become so scarce."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the event of Christ our Savior's birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem. The Virgin Mary, Our Queen, reminds us that we really encounter Christ in the Eucharist demanding the same reverence we would show approaching the Child Jesus in person. She says, "Learn from my example the reverence, fear, and respect, with which you must treat Him, remembering how I acted, when I held Him in my arms; follow my example, whenever you receive Him in your heart in the venerable sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, wherein is contained the same God-Man, who was born of my womb. In this holy Sacrament, you receive Him and possess Him just as real, and He remains in you just as actually, as I possessed Him and conversed with Him, although in another manner."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the journey made by Mary and Joseph, in the company of their Guardian Angels, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Virgin Mary teaches us, "You know well, my dearest, that you have been incessantly instructed and exhorted by divine enlightenment to forget the terrestrial and visible and to gird yourself with fortitude (Proverbs 31:17), to raise yourself to the imitation of me, copying in yourself, according to your capacity, the works and virtues manifested to you in my life. This is the very first purpose of the knowledge which you receive in writing this history; for you have in me a perfect model, and by it you can arrange the converse and conduct of your life in the same manner as I arranged mine in imitation of my sweetest Son. The dread with which this command to imitate me has inspired you as a being above your strength, you must moderate and you must encourage yourself by the words of my most holy Son in the Gospel of Saint Matthew: “Be ye perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This command of the Most High imposed upon his holy Church is not impossible of fulfillment, and, if his faithful children on their part dispose themselves properly, He will deny to none of them the grace of attaining this resemblance to the heavenly Father. All this my most holy Son has merited for them. But the degrading forgetfulness and neglect of men hinder them from maturing within themselves the fruits of His Redemption."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the census declaration of Caesar Augustus was issued and the Holy Family's reaction and activities. The Blessed Virgin Mary explains, "My daughter, in all your discourse on my life, and in each of the chapters and mysteries so far rehearsed, you will find the admirable providence of the Most High and his fatherly love toward me, his humble servant. Although human capacity cannot fully penetrate and estimate the admirable works of such high wisdom, yet it must venerate it with all its powers, and must seek to participate in the favors which the Lord showed me, by striving to imitate me. For mortals must not think that only for my sake and in me God wished to show Himself as holy, powerful and infinitely good. It is certain that if any or all of the souls would entrust themselves to the direction and government of this Lord they would soon experience that same fidelity, punctuality and most sweet efficacy with which his Majesty arranged all things that touched upon his honor and service in my life. They would likewise taste those delightful and divine emotions which I felt in relying upon his most holy will; nor would they fail to receive the abundance of his gifts, which are enclosed as in an infinite ocean within his Divinity. And just as the waters of the ocean rush forth wherever they find a suitable opening, so the graces and blessings of the Lord overflow upon rational creatures, when they are well-disposed and do not hinder their course. This truth is hidden to mortals because they do not stop to ponder and consider the works of the Almighty."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Blessed Virgin Mary prepared the swaddling clothes and linens for the Divine Infant with her ardent desire to see Him born. The Virgin Mary tells us this is a good example of preparation of our sacramentals used during Mass. She said, "...bear in mind with what reverence you must handle all the things consecrated and devoted to the divine service; and at the same time estimate how reprehensible is the irreverence with which the ministers of the Lord offend in their disregard for the sacred objects. They should not forget or slight the indignation of his Majesty against them for the gross discourtesy and ingratitude, which they ordinarily show by handling the sacred ornaments and objects of worship without attention and respect."
"Thus they who adore and worship their Creator in the spirit of truth and with a pure and upright intention have become very scarce."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes a conversation between Mary and Joseph regarding divine things. Joseph wished he could provide better surroundings for Christ. However, Mary explained to him that that’s not what God wanted. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us to imitate Christ and the Holy Family when considering material things, "...riches as well as poverty must be attributed to God and made use of in a holy and legitimate way for the glory of the Creator and Ruler of all things. If men would observe this rule of action nobody would be without the assistance of the Lord, who is a true Father, and neither would the poor be led into sin by poverty, nor the rich by prosperity. Of you, my daughter, I require the practice of these rules, and through you, I wish to inculcate them on other mortals. You must especially impress this doctrine upon all your subjects, telling them not to be troubled or faint-hearted because of the wants they suffer, nor inordinately solicitous about their eating or clothing (Matthew 6:25), but that they confide in the Most High and in his Providence. For if they correspond to his love, I assure them that they shall never suffer from the want of what is necessary."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how St. Joseph resolved to devote himself entirely to serving the Blessed Virgin Mary, but that Mary wanted to be of service and not served, and she describes the competition of love and humility that arose from it. The Virgin Mary reminds us again and again about the importance of humility in the eyes of God. She also laments the actions of some saying, "For without the trusty foundation of humility such treasures cannot be confided to any man. Let all your ambition be to humble yourself in your own estimation and thought, so that in your exterior actions you may truly exhibit this humility of your interior. It must be a subject of confusion and a spur of humility for you and for all the souls to have the Lord as their Father and Spouse, to see, that the presumption and pride of worldly wisdom are more powerful in its devotees than humility and true self-knowledge is in the children of light. Consider the watchfulness, the untiring study, and care of ambitious and aspiring men. Look upon their struggle to be esteemed in the world, their strivings never at rest, though so vain and worthless; how they conduct themselves outwardly according to the false notions which they have of themselves; how they pretend to be what they are not, and how they exert themselves to obtain through these false pretenses the treasures, which, though only earthly, they do not deserve. Hence it should be a cause of confusion and shame to the good, that deceit should urge on the sons of perdition with greater force than truth urges the elect; that the number of those, who in the world are anxious to strive in the service of their God and Creator, should be so small in comparison with the number of those who serve vanity; that there should be so few of the elect, though all are called (Matthew 20:16)."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how St. Joseph asks for forgiveness from the Blessed Virgin Mary. She tells Joseph why she didn't say anything, and consoles Joseph. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that a lack of forgiveness on our part gives great offense to God. She says, "The cause of this reproach, which the Lord and I have to make against men, is the inhuman perversity of men in persisting to treat each other with so much want of humility and love. In this, they commit three faults, which displease the Most High very much and which cause the Almighty and me to withhold many mercies."
"For all of them wish that God, who is most grievously offended, should receive and pardon them, whenever they approach Him with humility and contrition; while those that are but dust and ashes, ask to be revenged upon their brothers and will not content themselves with the satisfaction, which the Most High himself readily accepts for their own sins."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Archangel Gabriel spoke to St. Joseph in his sleep. Why in his sleep? The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us to be mindful of maintaining our tranquility, which can interfere with our communication with God. She says, "...in what you have understood of this chapter, you have a sweet motive for praising the wonderful ways of God’s wisdom in afflicting and again consoling his servants and chosen ones; from both the one and the other, He most wisely and kindly draws for them increase of merit and glory. Besides this doctrine, I wish that you receive another one, most important for your direction, and for the narrow pathway, which the Most High has assigned to you. It is this, that you strive with all your might to preserve yourself in tranquillity and interior peace, without allowing yourself to be deprived of it by any troublesome event of this life whatsoever, and by always keeping in mind the example and instruction contained in this part of the life of my spouse saint Joseph. The Most High does not wish to see the creatures disturbed by afflictions, but that they gain merit; not that they lose courage, but that they test their own power when aided by grace. Although the more violent temptations routinely close the haven of exalted peace and knowledge of God, and although they ground the creature more firmly in the knowledge of its own lowliness; yet if the soul loses its interior tranquillity and equilibrium, it will make itself unfit for the visit of the Lord, for hearing his voice, and for being raised up to his embraces. The Majesty of God does not come in a storm cloud (1 Kings 19:12), nor will the rays of this supreme Sun of justice shine, when calm is not reigning in the soul."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how Mary remained silent, while St. Joseph`s anxiety continued to increase to the point where he decided he needed to leave. The Blessed Virgin Mary explains how the course of events built up the merits of the holy family, and we can learn from this experience, "...the example of my silence, which you have been writing about, should teach you to use it as a guide in your treatment of the favors and sacraments of the Lord, namely that you keep them concealed within your heart. Although it might at times seem useful to reveal them for the consolation of some soul, you must not act upon this opinion without having first consulted God in prayer, and then your superiors. For these spiritual matters must not be made dependent upon human feelings, which are so much subject to the passions and inclinations of nature. There is always great danger of considering that to be an advantage which is harmful, and a service to God, what is injurious. It is not given to eyes of the flesh and blood (1st Corinthians 2:14) to discern the interior movements, so as to decide which of them are divine and caused by grace, or which are human, engendered by the disorderly affections. Although there is a great difference between these two kinds of affections and their causes, nevertheless, if the creature is not highly enlightened and dead to its passions, it cannot recognize this difference, nor separate the precious from the vile (Jeremiah 15:19)."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the anxieties of Saint Joseph on account of the pregnancy of Most Holy Mary. Joseph turns to God for guidance as he battles inner turmoil seeing her pregnancy, yet he refuses to believe Mary has acted inappropriately. The Blessed Virgin Marys reminds us to always turn to Our Heavenly Father saying, "...most exalted are the thoughts and intentions of the Lord; his Providence with souls is sweet and powerful and He is admirable in the government of them all, especially of his friends and chosen ones. If mortals would strive to know the loving care for their direction and advancement, as shown by this Father of mercies (Matthew 6:5), they would be relieved and would not be involved in such irksome, useless, and dangerous anxieties, living in perpetual toils and vain trust in the help of creatures. For they would resign themselves without hesitation to the infinite wisdom and love, which, with paternal sweetness and gentleness would watch over all their thoughts, words, and actions and all things necessary for them. I do not wish thee to be ignorant of this truth, but to understand how the Lord from all eternity bears in his mind all the predestined of the different times and ages; and that by the invincible force of his infinite wisdom and goodness He continually disposes and prepares all the blessings useful to them, so that the end desired for them may be attained."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how Satan, along with his 7 Legions persisted in tempting and trying to intimidate and scare the Blessed Virgin Mary to no avail. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that when we resist Satan and his demons they become extremely weak, "...the silence which the soul should maintain when the invisible enemies advance with their specious reasoning, should not prevent it from imposing silence upon them in the name of the Most High, and from commanding them to leave its presence in confusion. Therefore, I desire this to be your prudent behavior when they assault you; for there is no other defense so powerful against the dragon than to be conscious of the power which we possess as children of God, and to use the advantage which this confidence gives us by exercising our dominion and superiority over the infernal spirits (Matthew 6:9). For the whole aim of Lucifer, after he had fallen from heaven, consists in enticing souls from their Creator and in sowing the seed of discord, by which he hopes to separate from the heavenly Father his adopted children, and the spouses of Christ from their Bridegroom. Whenever he perceives that a soul is united with his Creator and in living communion with its head Christ, he tries to surpass himself in his furious attempts at persecuting it; his envy arouses the utmost exertion of his deceitfulness and malice for its destruction. But as soon as he sees that he cannot succeed in his attempts because the soul takes refuge in the unfailing and unassailable protection of the Most High, he weakens in his attempts and begins to writhe in exquisite torments. If the soul, thus strengthened with the authority of God’s truth, despises and casts him out, there is no creeping worm or ant so weak as that giant of iniquitous pride."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how God prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to meet Lucifer in battle and how he began to persecute her. The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us about resolve in fighting temptation saying, "The surest way of fighting the demon is to despise him, looking upon him as the enemy of the Most High, who has lost all fear of God and all hope of good; who in his stubbornness has deprived himself of all means of recovery and is without sorrow for his wickedness. Relying on this indubitable truth you should show yourself far superior to him, exalted and unflinching in your thoughts, and treat him as one who has contempt for the honor and worship of his God. Knowing that you are defending so just a cause, do not let your courage sink; but resist and counteract him with great strength and valor in all his attempts, as if you were fighting at the side of the Lord himself; for there is no doubt that his Majesty assists all those that enter loyally into his battles. You are truly in good hope and in the way of eternal life glory, as long as you labor faithfully for your Lord and God."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the demons, led by Satan, held a meeting in Hell to develop a strategy against the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our beloved Queen reminds us that the powers of Hell pursue us continuously, "My daughter, I wish that you be very cautious and watchful in regard to the ignorance and darkness, by which the demon commonly ensnares mortals and makes them forget their eternal salvation and the continual danger of its loss through his persecutions. Men are lost in forgetful rest and sleep as if there were no vigilant and powerful enemies. This dreadful carelessness arises from two causes: on the one hand, men are so taken up with their earthly and sensible being (1Corinthians 2:14), that they do not feel any other evils except those concerning the animal nature in them; all that is interior is harmless in their estimation. On the other hand, since the princes of darkness are invisible and unperceived by any of the senses (Ephesians 6:12) and since carnal men, neither touch, nor feel, nor see them, they forget the fear of them. Yet for this very reason, they ought to be more attentive and careful, since invisible enemies are more cunning and adroit in injuring us by their treachery. So much the more certain is the danger, the more concealed it is, and so much the more deadly are the wounds, the less they are felt and recognized."
"In order that you may fear it and preserve yourself the better, remember that this dragon knows you and lurks about you ever since the hour of your creation and entrance into this world. Night and day he restlessly prowls about seeking some chance of capturing you as a prize. He observes your natural inclinations and also the gifts of the Lord, in order to combat you with your own weapons. He charges other demons with your ruin and promises a reward to those that are more diligent in securing it. They weigh your actions carefully, watch your footsteps, and work zealously to lay snares for you in all your undertakings."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the journey back to Nazareth, and especially how the Virgin Mary dealt with people having difficulties, or perhaps difficult people. The Blessed Virgin Mary says, "My daughter, the faithful souls, and children of the Church, who know God, must make no distinction of time, place or occasions in the practice of faith and the other virtues connected with it. For God is present in all things and fills them with his infinite being (Jeremiah 23:24), and in all places and circumstances faith will enable them to see and adore Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:22). Just as preservation follows upon creation, and as breathing follows upon life, and just as there is no intermission in the breathing, nourishment, and growth of man until the end is reached: so the rational creature, after having been regenerated by the faith of grace, must never interrupt the course of the spiritual life, continually pursuing works of life by faith, hope and charity in all places and at all time (James 2:26). On account of their forgetfulness and carelessness, the children of men, and especially the members of the Church, possess the life of faith as if they had lost it, allowing it to die for want of charity."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the day the Blessed Virgin Mary prepared to leave the house of Zachariah and Elizabeth. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to obtain and remain in a state of readiness to God's will. She says, "My daughter, the happy souls which God has chosen for his intimate friendship and perfection must keep themselves in continual readiness and peace, in order to perform all that his Majesty may ordain without hesitation or delay. That is what I did when the Most High commanded me to leave the beloved retreat of my house and betake myself to Elisabeth; likewise, when he ordered me to return. I obeyed in all these things with joyful alacrity; and although I had received so many benefits from Elisabeth and her family and so many tokens of love and friendship, as thou hast seen, yet, knowing the will of the Lord, I set aside all obligation and my own inclination and followed them only so far as was strictly demanded by charity and compassion, and in so far as the promptest obedience to the divine command permitted."
"My dearest daughter, how will you not hasten to obtain this true and perfect resignation as soon as you know its vast value! How pleasing it is in the eyes of the Lord, and how profitable for your soul! Labor then to attain it in imitation of me, as I have already so often invited you and urged you. The greatest hindrances toward its attainment are the leanings and special likings to earthly things; for these make the soul unworthy of the caresses of the Lord and of knowing fully his will. And even if the soul knows his will, the base love of unworthy things will keep the soul from fulfilling it; for on account of its inclinations, it will be wanting in the ready and joyful obedience required by the Lord. Take notice of this danger, my daughter, and do not allow any particular affection to enter into your heart, for I wish that you be well versed and perfect in this art of divine love and that your obedience be that of an angel, and your love that of a seraphim."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the council and instruction the Virgin Mary gave to St. Elizabeth as her exit draws near. The child John is circumcised and given his name and Zachariah prophesies. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us in our need to be dead to the world saying, "Your Spouse, my dearest daughter, does not wish your ears to be enthralled by deceitful earthly talk, nor contaminated by the flatteries of the world. Therefore I desire that you keep them closed and well guarded against all these poisonous influences. If your Lord is pleased to speak to your heart the words of eternal life, it is proper that you yourself be deaf and lifeless to all that is earthly. All else should be to you a deadly torment in comparison with the caresses of his love. Remember that you owe Him the perfection of your love and that all hell will combine against you, in order to ensnare you by your natural tenderness to be sweet and loving toward creatures, and less grateful to the eternal God. Watch over yourself, and see that you resist this unfaithfulness, trusting in your beloved Master and Spouse."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the birth of St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary's activities during the event. The Blessed Virgin Mary continues to warn us about the avoidance of sin, and about the dangers of being misled saying, "...do not be surprised, that my servant John feared and hesitated to come into the world. Life can never be loved by the ignorant devotee of the world in the same degree, as the wise, in divine science, abhor and fear its dangers. This science was eminently possessed by the Precursor of my most holy Son; hence knowing of the loss which threatened, he feared the risk. But, since he that knows and dreads the treacherous seas of this world, sails so much the more securely over their unfathomed depths, it served him in good stead for entering securely into the world. The fortunate child began his career with such disgust and abhorrence of all earthly things, that his horror never abated."
"It is also certain that ordinarily, the demons have no power over souls unless they gain entrance by some venial or mortal fault. Mortal sin gives them a sort of direct right over those who commit it; while venial sin weakens the strength of the soul and invites their attacks. Imperfections diminish the merit and the progress of virtue and encourage the enemy. Whenever the astute serpent notices that the soul bears with its own levity and forgets about its danger, it blinds it and seeks to instill its deadly poison. The enemy then entices the soul like a little heedless bird, until it falls into one of the many snares from which there seems to be no escape."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how St. Elizabeth asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to remain with her, and they discussed Elizabeth's pending childbirth. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us on prayer. How praying in the correct manner, is never offensive to God. She says, "My daughter, whenever our desires arise from loving affection and are accompanied by a good intention, the Most High is not offended at our making them known, as long as it is done with submission and resignation to the dispositions of his divine Providence. When the soul presents itself before the Lord with such sentiments, He looks upon it as a Father and grants to it what is proper, withholds what is improper or does not conduce to its true welfare." "I wish that you offer up all your petitions and prayers in the name of my most holy Son and my own; and be assured without doubt, that they will be heard if they are joined with the upright intention of pleasing God. Look upon me with loving affection as your Mother, your refuge and your help; trust yourself to my devoted love, and remember, my dearest, that my desire for your greater good urges me to teach you the means of obtaining great blessings and favors of divine grace at the most liberal hands of God."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes some of the special favors which the Blessed Virgin Mary conferred upon several people in the house of Zachariah. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to always be ready to do good for the souls around us. She said, "My dearest daughter, within two limits as if within two extremes, all the harmony of your powers and wishes must move. They are: to preserve yourself in the grace and friendship of God and to seek the same good fortune for others. In this let all your life and activity be consumed. For such high purpose, I wish that you spare no labor, beseeching the Lord and offering yourself in sacrifice unto death, accepting actually all that is opportune and possible. Although, in order to solicit the good of souls, you need not make any great fuss before creatures, since that is not appropriate to your sex; yet you must seek and prudently apply all the hidden means, that are most efficacious within your knowledge. If you will be my daughter and a spouse of my most holy Son, consider that the possessions of our house are the rational creatures, which He acquired as a rich prize at the cost of his life (1st Corinthians 6 20) and of his blood; for, through their own disobedience, they were lost to Him (Genesis 3:6), after He had created and selected them for Himself."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes some of the conversations the Blessed Virgin Mary had both with the angels of her guard and with her cousin Elizabeth. The Blessed Virgin Mary continually stresses the importance and benefits of humility, also right-sized relationships with others, and prudent use of time. She said, "According to this doctrine you must so regulate your terrestrial occupations, whatever they may be, that you do not lose your time, which can never be recovered. Whether you eat, labor, rest, sleep or watch, in all times and places, and in all occupations, adore, reverence, and look upon your great and powerful Lord, who fills all things and conserves all things (1 Corinthians 10 3 and Matthew 11 29). I wish also that you pay special attention to that which moved and incited me most to perform all acts of humility; namely, the thought that my divine Son came in the guise of humility in order to teach the world this virtue in word and example, to inculcate the hate of vanity and pride and rooting out its seed sown by Lucifer among mortals in the first sin. His Majesty gave me such a deep knowledge of how much He is pleased with this virtue, that in order to be allowed to perform only one of the acts mentioned by you, such as sweeping the floor or kissing the feet of the poor, I would have been ready to suffer the greatest torments of the world. You will never find words to express the love for humility which I had, nor to describe its excellence and nobility. In the Lord, you will know and understand what you cannot describe in words."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Virgin Mary arranged her daily exercises when she stayed at Zachariah and Elizabeth's house. Also, how she and St. Elizabeth exchanged in service and humility. Regarding humility, the Blessed Virgin Mary tells us, "...the favors of the Most High and the knowledge of his divine mysteries, in the attentive souls, engender a kind of love and esteem of humility, which raises them up with a strong and sweet force, like that which causes fire to ascend, like the gravity which causes a stone to fall, each of them striving to reach its own and natural sphere. This is done by the true light, which places the creature in the possession of a clear knowledge of itself and attributes the graces to the proper source, whence all perfect things come (James 1:17); and thus it brings all things into correct balance. And this is the most proper order of right reason which overthrows and as it were exerts violence against the false presumption of mortals. On account of this presumption of pride the heart, wherein it lives, cannot strive after contempt, nor bear it, nor can it suffer a superior over itself, and is offended even at equals; it violently opposes all in order to place itself alone above all fellow creatures. But the humble heart is abased in proportion to the benefits it received, and in its interior quietly grows a desire or an ardent hunger for self-abasement and for the last place; it is violently disturbed in not finding itself esteemed as the inferior of all and in being deprived of humiliation."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the salutation given to St. Elizabeth by the Blessed Virgin Mary and the simultaneous sanctification of John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin Mary instructs us on the value of grace and our need to guard it as a priceless treasure, "There are no terms of human language equal to the task of expressing what participations and perfections of God are contained in sanctifying grace. It is little to say that it is more pure and spotless than the snow; more refulgent than the sun; more precious than gold or precious stones, more charming, more amiable and pleasing than all the most delightful feasts and entertainments, and more beautiful than all that in its entirety can be imagined or desired by the creatures. Take notice also of the ugliness of sin, in order that by the opposite you may come to so much the better understanding of the beauty of grace; for neither darkness, nor rottenness, nor the most horrible, the most dreadful, nor the foulest of creatures can ever be compared to sin and to its ugliness. The martyrs and saints understood much of this mystery (Hebrews 11:36), who in order to secure the beauty of grace and preserve themselves from the ruin of sin, did not fear fire, nor wild beasts, nor the sword, nor torments, nor prisons, ignominies, pains, afflictions, nor death itself, nor prolonged and perpetual suffering; for to escape all these must be counted for little or nothing, and must scarcely be thought of in comparison with one degree of grace, which souls may attain, even though they be the most abject of the whole world. All this the men, who esteem and seek after the fugitive and apparent beauty of creatures, are ignorant of; and whatever does not present to them this deceitful beauty, is for them vile and contemptible."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the journey the holy couple undertook when the Blessed Virgin Mary and Joseph went to visit St. Elizabeth ending with the entry of Zachariah's house. The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us, "...whenever the creature holds in proper esteem the good works and the services, which the Lord commands for his glory, it will feel within itself great facility of operation, great sweetness in undertaking them, and a readiness and alacrity in continuing and pursuing them. These different feelings then give testimony of their being truly useful and commanded by God. But the soul cannot experience these affections, if it is not altogether devoted to the Lord, keeping its gaze fixed upon his divine pleasure, hearing of it with joy, executing it with alacrity, and forgetting its own inclination and conveniences. The soul must be like the faithful servant, who seeks to do only the will of his master and not his own. This is the manner of obeying, which is fruitful and which is due from all the creatures to their God and much more from all the religious, who explicitly promise this kind of obedience."
"Attend, therefore, my daughter, with all solicitude to the works of virtue and perfection, which you know to be desirable in the eyes of the Lord. Despise none of them nor withdraw from any of them and cease not to exercise them, no matter how violently your inclinations and your weakness should oppose their exercise. Trust in the Lord and proceed to put them into execution, and soon his power will overcome all difficulties. Soon you will also know by happy experience how light is the burden and how sweet is the yoke of the Lord (Matthew 11 13). He did not deceive us when He spoke those words, as might be argued by the tepid and the negligent, who in their torpidity and distrust, tacitly repudiate the truth of this statement."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Virgin Mary was informed of the will of God that she go and visit St. Elizabeth. How Holy Mary asked her husband Joseph for permission to go, yet our of prudence told him nothing about any of the other things that had been happening including the Annunciation. The Virgin Mary explained the importance of obedience in life, "Happy is the soul, to which the Most High manifests his holy and perfect will; but more happy and blessed is he, who puts into execution, what he has learned. In many ways, God shows to mortals the high ways and pathways of eternal life: by the Gospels and the Holy Scriptures, by the Sacraments and the laws of the holy Church, by the writings and examples of the saints, and especially, by the obedience due to the guidance of its ministers, of whom his Majesty said: “Whoever hears you, hears Me;” for obeying them is the same as obeying the Lord himself."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda: describes the attention and care which the Blessed Virgin Mary bestowed upon the fruit of her womb. Our Heavenly Queen reminds us that we always need to show God the proper reverence, recalling that He is present in all our dealings. He says, "...I wish you so earnestly to acquire and which shall teach you to understand profoundly, what decorous reverence is due to God. I remind you once more, that this science is very hard to learn and little coveted by men on account of their ignorance; for from there, to their great loss, it arises that, in conversing with the Most High or rendering Him service or worship, they fail to form a worthy concept of his infinite greatness and to free themselves from the darksome images of their earthly occupations, which make them torpid and carnal, unworthy and unfit for the magnificent intercourse with the supernal Deity. And this ill-bred coarseness entails another disorder: namely, that whenever they converse with their neighbors, they do it without order, measure or discretion, become entangled in their outward actions, and losing the memory and presence of their Creator in the excitement of their passions, are completely entangled in what is earthly."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the different states and the beatific visions she experienced compared to that of Christ and also discusses special capacities she had, and we can have. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that God doesn't want to wait for the end of our lives to begin rewarding us with special capacities, "For if the creature, as soon as it obtains the use of reason, begins to advance toward the Lord as it should, directing its footsteps in the path of life and salvation, his Most High Majesty will issue forth to meet it, (Wisdom 6 15), being beforehand with his favors and communications; for to Him it seems a long time to wait for the end of the pilgrimage in order to manifest Himself to his friends."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes Christ's conception and His very first activities. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that we need to reflect on the Incarnation and take care, "Above all, I ask of you, my dearest, to do that which is most acceptable to the Lord and most pleasing to me; that you grieve, and in sweet affection mourn over the gross ignorance and dangerous tardiness of the sons of men; over the ingratitude also of the children of the Church, who, having received the light of the divine faith, yet live in such interior forgetfulness of the works and benefits of the Incarnation, yea, of God himself, and so much so, that they seem to differ from infidels only in some ceremonies and exterior worship. They perform these without spirit or heartiness, many times offending and provoking the divine justice which they should placate.
Through this ignorance and torpidity, it happens that they are not prepared to receive and acquire the true science of the Most High. They bring upon themselves the loss of the divine light and they deserve to be left in the heavy darkness, making themselves more unworthy than the infidels themselves and entailing upon themselves an incomparably greater chastisement. Mourn, over such great damage to your neighbors, and pray for help from the bottom of your heart."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the events of the Annunciation. The Blessed Virgin Mary challenges us to personalize the coming of the Messiah. She says, "I wish however my dearest, that you turn your attention toward yourself and consider, how God humiliated Himself and came into my womb, not only for myself alone but for you as well. The Lord is infinite in his mercy and his love has no limit, and thus He attends and esteems and assists every soul who receives Him, and He rejoices in it as if He had created it alone, and as if He had been made man for it alone. There fore with all the affection of your soul you must, as it were, consider yourself as being yourself in person bound to render the full measure of thanks of all the world for his coming; and for his coming to redeem all. And if, with a lively faith you are convinced and confess, that the same God who, infinite in his attributes and eternal in his majesty, lowered Himself to assume human flesh in my womb, seeks also you, calls you, rejoices you, caresses you, and thinks of you alone, as if you were his only creature (Galatians 2:20); think well and reflect on what his admirable condescension obliges you. Convert this admiration into living acts of faith and love; for, that He condescends to come to you, you owe entirely to the goodness of the King and Savior, since you yourself could never find Him nor attain Him."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how God sent the Archangel Gabriel to gain Mary's consent and how it differed from the other commands he gave to his angels. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that she was not in anyway expecting of suspecting what was about to happen; quite the contrary, she explains, "Remember, I was far from imagining, that the Most High had designed me for the dignity of Mother of God; and this was my state of mind although He had already promised his speedy coming into the world and although He had commanded me to desire after Him with such great affection, that on the day before the execution of this mystery I thought I would die and my heart would burst with loving sighs, if the divine Providence had not comforted me. He dilated my spirit with the firm hope, that the Onlybegotten of the eternal Father would descend from heaven without delay; yet on the other hand, my humility inclined me to fear, lest my presence in the world might perhaps retard his coming. Contemplate then, my beloved, this secret of my breast, and what an example it is for you and for all the mortals."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how God renewed all His favors and benefits in the Most Holy Mary. As the ultimate preparation for the Incarnation, God made her the sovereign and Queen of all the universe. The Blessed Virgin Mary explains to us that God is ready and willing to enrich each and every one of us, "[God] has created such a variety of visible goods in order that they might serve those who serve Him; and especially when she considers how many hidden treasures He has in readiness in the abundance of his sweetness (Psalm 30:20) for those that fear Him as his true children. I wish that you feel deeply obliged to your Lord and Father, your Spouse and Friend, at the thought of the riches given to those souls, who become his dearest children. For, as a powerful Father, He holds in readiness these great and manifold gifts for his children, and if necessary, all of his gifts for each one of them in particular."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda continues describing Mary's preparation through grace for the pending Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel. God asked Mary to come closer, and The Blessed Virgin reminds us that He asks the same of us, His chosen one, to come closer as well, "For He derives just as great pleasure from their deeds, as when a father rejoices in his beloved and well-behaved son, whom he looks upon many times with great affection; or as an artist, when he beholds with pride the perfect works of his hands; or as a king, who inspects the rich city, which he has added to his dominions; or as one, who is pleased with his much-beloved friend. There is only this difference: the Most High finds incomparably more delight than all these in the souls, which He has chosen for his blessings; and in proportion, as they dispose themselves and advance in virtue, the Lord also multiplies his favors and benefits."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda continues her description of the preparation of Mary for the Annunciation. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us that we are the obstacle when it comes to God's grace and generosity, "[God] can enrich innumerable others just as He has enriched my soul, and yet infinitely more will remain. Although He will give to no creature as much as He has conferred upon me, it is not because He is not able or does not wish, but because no one will dispose himself for his grace as I did. But the Almighty is most liberal with some souls and enriches them so munificently, because they impede his gifts less, and dispose themselves better than others."
The Venerable Sister of Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the next day of the novena of the preparation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It's the preparation for the Annunciation which is about to take place. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us, "...see that you bear ever in mind, that no matter how great and rare are the favors received from the Most High, you do not despise the danger of sin nor contemn the solicitous and humble performance of the ordinary duties of precept and charity. For these do not oblige you to leave the presence of God: faith teaches you, and inspiration should govern you, to bear Him with you in all occupations and places, quitting yourself and your inclinations, but fulfilling in all things the will of your Lord and Spouse. Do not allow yourself to be led in these sentiments by the trend of your own inclinations, nor by that which seems to agree with your own interior liking and taste; for many times the greatest danger is hidden beneath this cloak."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the 5th day of Mary's preparation for the Incarnation, and how she pleaded with God for the sake of the human race and for the coming of the Messiah. The Virgin Mary tells us, "...you must strive, with all your power, to imitate me in the works, which I performed by the aid of these great and wonderful blessings. Pray and sigh for the eternal salvation of your brethren, and that the name of my Son may be extolled by all and known to the whole world. You must establish the habit of this kind of prayer, by a constant resolve, founded upon firm faith and unshaken confidence, and by never losing sight of your misery in profound humility and self-abasement. Thus prepared, you must battle with the divine love for the good of your people, firmly convinced, that the most glorious triumphs of divine love may especially be looked for in its dealings with the humble, who love God in uprightness. Raise yourself above yourself and give Him thanks for the special blessings conferred upon you and for those conferred upon the human race. Transformed by this divine love, you will merit other gifts, both for yourself and for your brethren; and whenever you find yourself in his divine presence, do ask for his benediction."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda continues her explanation of the preparations God made in readying the Virgin Mary for the Annunciation. The Blessed Virgin Mary lamented, "...the Most High gave me such a deep insight into his goodness, which drew Him as with an infinite force to enrich men, and when He showed me the want of correspondence and the dark ingratitude of the mortals. When I turned from the consideration of this most liberal condescension of the Most High, to the perception and understanding of the foolish hard-heartedness of the sinners, my soul was pierced with an arrow of mortal anguish, which remained for [the rest of my] life."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how God continued to prepare the Blessed Virgin Mary for the upcoming visit from the Archangel Gabriel. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us, "These sacraments, my dearest, I manifest to you in order to encourage you to imitate me, as far as is possible with your weak forces aided by grace. Look upon the works, which you have learned of, as a pattern and example to be closely followed. Meditate much, and weigh over and over again as well in the light of grace as in that of reason, how exactly mortals ought to correspond to this immense kindness of God and to his eagerness to assist them. Compare at the same time the heartless obduracy of the children of Adam. I wish that your heart be softened in affectionate thankfulness toward the Lord and melted in sorrow at these unhappy proceedings of men."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda continues her description of the preparation (through grace) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was unaware that she was being prepared and what she was being prepared for. The Blessed Virgin Mary, reminds us of something very important when reflecting on creation, "...I wish you to perceive the admirable order of his wisdom in the creation of man. Take notice, therefore, that his Creator made him out of nothing, not in order to be a slave, but in order to be the king and the master of all creation (Genesis 1 26), and in order that he make use of creatures in sovereignty, command, and mastery; yet at the same time man was to recognize himself as the image of his Maker and the work of his hand, remaining more devoted to God and more submissive to his will than the creatures to man; for all this was demanded by justice and reason."
The Blessed Virgin Mary continued, "But the foolishness of man disturbs this order and destroys this harmony, when, being created as the lord and king of creatures, he enslaves himself, subjecting himself to them, and degrading his dignity in using visible things not as a prudent master, but as an unworthy vassal. For he debases himself beneath the lowest of creatures, by losing sight of the fact that he is their superior. All this perversity arises from the use of creatures not for the service of the Creator through well-ordered faith, but for the indulgence of the passions and the delights of the senses. Hence also arises man’s great abhorrence of those things which are not pleasing to the senses."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus attempts to explain nine very special days in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I say "attempts" because Sister Mary herself tells us this is actually beyond our comprehension. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us, "What I wish of thee today is to take notice how I used this knowledge and to imitate me according to thy power with the help of the infused light, which thou hast received for this purpose. Profit by the knowledge of creatures by making of them a ladder to ascend unto God thy Creator; so that thou mayest seek in all of them their first beginning and their last end. Let them serve thee as a mirror from which the Godhead is reflected, reminding thee of his Omnipotence and inciting thee to the love, which He seeks in thee. Be thou filled with wonder and praise at the greatness and magnificence of the Creator and in His presence humiliate thyself to the dust. Shun no difficulty or suffering in order to become meek and humble of heart. "
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda discusses the ongoing difficulties and attacks she underwent in writing the history of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the City of God. She reveals directions she received from heaven. When these directions are given to an individual they are personal, when they're written down under obedience they're intended for the world. An angel said to her, "...thy Spouse does not wish to set thee any limit, but it is his pleasure, that thou dwell in the infinite regions of his Divinity and that thou roam about and disport [amuze] thyself through the illimitable fields of his attributes and perfections, where the view of the intellect is without restraint, where the will is delighted without a shadow of misgiving, and where the inclinations are satiated without bitterness. This is the paradise always delightful, where the most beloved brides of Christ find their recreation, where they gather the fragrant flowers and myrrh, and where the infinite is found for those that have renounced the imperfect nothing. There will thy habitation be secure; and in order that thy intercourse and companionship may be in correspondence with it, I desire that thou converse with the angels, holding them as friends and companions, and copying from them, during their frequent conversations and intercourse with thee, their virtues by faithful imitation.”
Two Professors of Theology from Louvain University in France said it best, "Combined with this simplicity are found many doctrines and valid proofs, free from contradictions and not easily found in other writings. This History explains more than a thousand difficulties in Holy Scripture, in a manner equally natural and wonderful. At every step are encountered exquisite interpretations, until now unknown, and which had been hidden beneath the mere letter, but are laid open in these writings and brought to the light. In short, the whole work is a beautiful web of scripture passages which, though spun from its different books, are directly and specially woven into a whole for the purpose intended by the Venerable Mother.”
Signed,
HERMANN DAMEN, PhD and ANTON PARMENTIER, PhD July 20, 1715
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda concludes her comments on Proverbs 31, which is the last chapter in Volume 1, The Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us, "...yet I wish, that you write in your inmost heart, as well that which you have declared, as also that which you have omitted, and I wish that you put it into practice. For this purpose it is necessary, that you live retired within yourself, forgetful of all the visible and terrestrial things, most attentive to the divine light, which assists you and protects your sensible faculties with double vestments against the influences of lukewarmness and coldness on the way of perfection; and it is necessary, that you resist the incitements of your unruly passions. Gird them and restrict them by the powerful means of the fear of God. Withdrawn from the deceitful outward appearances, raise your mind to the contemplation and the understanding of your interior condition and of the paths, which the Lord has shown you for seeking Him in secret and for finding Him without danger of error."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda shares an explanation of Proverbs 31. The Lord explained how it relates to the married life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "As soon as the Princess of heaven, Mary, found Herself so unexpectedly in the new state of matrimony, She raised her pure soul to the Father of light for illumination and direction in the fulfillment of all its obligations according to his pleasure. In order to give me some insight into her holy thoughts at this time, the Lord referred me to the last chapter of the Proverbs, in which Solomon outlined the virtues of our Lady in describing the qualities and doings of a valiant woman." - Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda.
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda explains the details of the selection and marriage of Mary and Joseph. How old was Joseph? More importantly their interior lives.
The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that our state in life, or our vocation, is no hindrance to the level of holiness we can achieve, "...in the example of the matrimonial life wherein the Most High placed me, you find a reproof for those souls, who allege their life in the world as an excuse for not following perfection. To God nothing is impossible, and nothing is likewise impossible to those, who with a lively faith, hope in Him, and resign themselves entirely to his divine Providence. I lived in the house of my spouse with the same perfection as in the temple; for in changing my state of life I altered neither my sentiments nor the desire and anxiety to love and serve God; on the contrary, I added to my solicitude lest the obligations of a spouse should hinder me in God s service. On this account, God favored me and disposed and accommodated powerfully all things in conformity to my desires. The Lord will do the same for all men if on their part they correspond. They however blame the state of matrimony, deceiving themselves; for the hindrance to a holy and perfect life, is not the state, but the vain and superfluous cares and anxieties, in which they involve themselves forgetting the sweetness of the Lord and seeking and preferring their own."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda explains how God asked the Virgin Mary to enter into marriage (before Joseph was chosen) and Mary's reaction. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us, "...most high and venerable are the judgments of the Lord, and they should not be scrutinized by mortals, since they are impenetrable. His Majesty commanded me to enter the state of matrimony and at the same time concealed from me the sacrament dependent upon entering it."
She went on to say, "I was aware that God is superior to all creatures and that He had no need of our foresight; for He seeks only the subjection of our will, since the creature cannot give Him counsel, but only obedience and praise. And although, on account of not knowing what He wished of me and ordained for me in the state of matrimony, the love, which I had for chastity caused me much affliction; yet that grievous sorrow did not make me curious and inquisitive, but served to make my obedience more excellent and pleasing in his eyes."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda takes us up to what's near the end of Mary's time at the Temple in Jerusalem. Mary has suffered for years, and the angels and God explain suffering to her. The Blessed Virgin Mary explained, "Accept then, my dearest, this doctrine and engrave it deeply into your heart. Understand that as a daughter of the Most High, as a spouse of my Son, and as my disciple, even if from no other motive, you must acquire the precious gem of suffering and thus become pleasing to your Lord and Spouse. I exhort you, my daughter, to select the sufferings of his Cross in preference to his favors and gifts and rather embrace afflictions than a desire to be visited with caresses; for in choosing favors and delights you may be moved by self-love, but in accepting tribulations and sorrows, you can be moved only by the love of Christ."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how Mary was able to visit her mother St. Anne at her death bed. She also tells us about how God intervened to improve Mary's life at the Temple in Jerusalem, but how Mary saw the difficulties as great advantages.
The Blessed Virgin Mary's instruction included, "...the most valuable science of man is to know how to resign himself entirely into the hands of his Creator, since He knows why he has formed him and for what end each man is destined. Man’s sole duty is to live in obedience and in the love of his Lord. God will charge himself most solicitously with the care of those that thus confide in Him; He will take upon Himself the management of all the affairs and all the events of this life in order to draw blessings and benefits for those that thus trust in his fidelity."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda describes how Mary was mistreated by the other girl at the Temple. She provides an inside look, at both the material and the supernatural elements at work. The Blessed Virgin Mary explained to her, "...show yourself most meek, peaceful and agreeable toward those, who molest you; esteem them truly in your heart, and do not take vengeance on your Lord by taking vengeance on his instruments, nor despise the inestimable jewel of injuries. As far as lies in you always give good for evil (Romans 12:14), benefits for injuries, love for hate, praise for blame, blessings for malediction. Then will you be a perfect daughter of your Father (Matthew 5 43), the beloved spouse of your Lord, my friend, and my most cherished daughter."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how the Princess of Heaven begins to suffer affliction. How God hid Himself (without leaving) from the Blessed Virgin Mary and how she responds with her sweet and amorous sighs.
"My daughter, all goods are estimated according to the appreciation in which creatures hold them; in so far they value them, as they know them to be good. But since there is only one true Good, and all the others merely fictitious and apparent, it follows, that only the highest Good is to be appreciated and recognized. Then only shalt thou give Him true appreciation and love, when thou shalt enjoy and esteem Him above all created things. By this appreciation and love will also be measured the sorrow of losing Him and from this thou canst understand somewhat my sentiments, at the time when the eternal God absented Himself from me, leaving me in my fears lest perhaps I had lost Him through my own fault." - the Blessed Virgin Mary
As she returns to the happenings at the Temple in Jerusalem, the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the death of St. Joachim, six months after the Virgin Mary entered the Temple. The Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us about the merit of suffering saying, "My daughter, renovate many times in the secret of your heart your esteem for the blessing of tribulations, which the hidden providence of God dispenses for the justification of mortals. These are the judgments justified in themselves (Psalm 18:10-11) and more valuable than precious stones and gold, sweeter than the honeycomb, to those who know how to hold them in proper esteem. I wish you to remember, my beloved, that to suffer and to be afflicted with or without one’s fault is a benefit of which one cannot be worthy without special and great mercy of the Almighty; moreover to be allowed to suffer for one’s sins, is not only a mercy, but is demanded by justice. Behold, however, the great insanity of the children of Adam nowadays in desiring and seeking after compensations, benefits, and favors agreeable to their senses, and in sleeplessly striving to avert from themselves, that which is painful or includes any hardship or trouble."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes other kinds of visions and communications the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced with the angels of her guard. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us we need to be both mindful and grateful for the many favors angels do for us.
"Admirable is the love, the fidelity, and the solicitude with which the angelic spirits assist mortals in their necessities; and most horrible is the forgetfulness, ingratitude, and grossness on the part of men in failing to acknowledge this debt." - the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda continues exploring the different types of visions of God the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced during her life. The Blessed Virgin Mary gave Sister Mary a word of caution saying, "...you have a certain rule of action in regard to the visions and revelations of the Lord, and it demands two precautions. The one consists in you subjecting these relations to the examination and the judgment of your confessors and superiors, asking the Most High with a lively faith, that He give them light to understand his divine will and truth to instruct you fully therein. The other consists of questioning your own heart and observing the effects of these revelations and visions, prudently trying to assure yourself against any error. "
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda explores the different types of visions of God the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced during her life. The Blessed Virgin Mary went on to encourage Sister Mary saying, "This is the science and divine philosophy taught to you by the visits of the Most High and in it, you will feel the force of the divine fire, which should never through your fault and your negligence, be allowed to become extinguished in your bosom. Be alert, dilate your heart, gird yourself with fortitude in order to be commissioned with great undertakings and be able to accomplish them. Be constant in your faith regarding these admonitions, believing in them, esteeming them, and writing them in your soul with a humble and loving affection of your heart, as being sent in faithful solicitude by your Spouse and transmitted to you by me, your Teacher and Mistress."
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, "…are the emanations of the Divinity communicating themselves to, and transforming the holy souls, on their own part they do not admit of any limitation but only on the part of the subject upon which they act. If the creatures would empty their hearts of earthly love and affections, although their heart is limited, they would participate without measure in the torrent of the infinite Godhead through the inestimable gifts of the Holy Ghost." – The Blessed Virgin Mary
Regarding the virtue of temperance, "Therefore be careful, my dearest, and watch for the divine light in all your actions, and don't let any of your powers be induced to activity merely by pleasure and inclination; but always act according to reason and for the glory of the Most High in all things necessary for the conduct of your life; in eating, in sleeping, in dressing, in speaking, in hearing, in desiring, in correcting, in commanding, in speaking: let all be governed in thee by the light and the pleasure of the Lord God, and not by your own." - The Blessed Virgin Mary
"...if you seek attentively to obtain a full understanding of the excellence and the propriety of the virtue of fortitude, as is my wish, you shall come into the possession of a most efficient check for the guiding of your irascible affections; for these are the passions, which are most easily moved to action and are most apt to overstep the bounds of reason."
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
An in-depth look at the virtue of Justice. In it, The Blessed Virgin Mary warns us about a lack of justice in our offerings to God. Our Queen said, "…you have included a copious summary to direct your intercourse with people and your worship of the Most High. In regard to this latter I remind you, my dearest, that the supreme majesty of the Omnipotent is highly indignant at the offenses of mortals, who forget the veneration, adoration, and reverence due to Him. If some of them do render it, it is so coarse, inattentive and discourteous, that they do not merit reward but chastisement. They revere and adore profoundly the princes and magnates of the earth; they ask favors and seek to obtain them with the utmost diligence; they are enthusiastic in their thanks, when they succeed, declaring their lifelong gratitude. But the supreme Lord, who gives them being, life and activity, who preserves and sustains them, who has redeemed them and raised them to the dignity of sons, who wishes to confer upon them his own glory, who is in Himself the infinite and the highest Good; Him, the highest Majesty, they forget, because they cannot see Him with their physical eyes. As if not all good came from Him, they return, at the most, merely a sluggish remembrance and a hasty thanksgiving."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes what she was taught about the virtue of prudence and its different forms and applications, and how the Blessed Virgin Mary applied prudence throughout her life.
The Blessed Virgin Mary described prudence by saying, "Let this light guide you through the midst of the darkness of human ignorance, so that you may not be disturbed or confounded by the luring passions, nor especially by the malice and snares laid in front of you by the watchful malice of your enemies, seeking to infect your understanding. Not to be endowed with all the perfections of prudence, is not culpable in a person; but to be negligent in learning the rules of prudence, after having been instructed how to attain this knowledge, is a serious fault and the cause of many mistakes and errors in the conduct of affairs. On account of this negligence the passions countermand, impede, and obstruct the dictates of prudence."
What a great chapter! The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus describes the virtue of charity (queen of the virtues) in the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Blessed Virgin gives us a list to consider:
"I desire that you exert your utmost powers to copy within your soul, with the greatest perfection, all that you have learned of my charity."
"In order that you may be sure that you love Him perfectly and truly, search within yourself for the following signs and effects of that love; whether your thought and meditation dwell continually on God, whether his commands and counsel find in you no repugnance or remissness, whether you fear to offend Him, whether you seek immediately to appease Him after having offended Him, whether you grieve to see Him offended and rejoice to see Him served by all creatures, whether you desire and are delighted to speak continually of his love; see whether you delight in the memory of his presence, whether you grieve at your forgetfulness of Him and at his absence from you, whether you love what He loves, and abhor what He abhors, whether you seek to draw all men towards his friendship and grace, whether you pray with confidence; see whether you receive with gratitude his benefits, whether you do not waste them but rather turn them to good account for his honor and glory, whether you strive to extinguish in yourself all the movements of the passions, which retard you or hinder you in your loving aspirations and in your works of virtue." - the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the virtue of hope as it was found and practiced by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Heavenly Queen tells us that hope sits between despair and presumption advising us, "Between these two dangerous extremes hope directs us in the safe way, maintaining us in the confident belief on the one hand that God will not deny to ourselves what He has promised to all, and on the other, that the promise was not made unconditionally and absolutely, but requires our exertion and effort to merit its fulfillment as far as it is possible with the help of divine grace."
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus describes the Blessed Virgin Mary’s faith. Not only it’s immensity, but how God assisted her with opportunities to use her faith to grow in merit. When act simply out of knowledge, our actions lack merit because we’re acting according to our senses. Actions of faith, allow us to go beyond our senses, and still act with firm resolve.
“Faith illumines and ennobles the understanding of man, since it directs him in the darkness of his natural ignorance, not to stray from the way, and it elevates him above himself so that he sees and understands with infallible certainty what is far above his powers and assures him of it no less than if he saw it clearly before him. He is thus freed from the gross and vile narrow-mindedness of those who will believe only what they can experience by their own limited natural powers, not considering that the soul, as long as it lives in the prison of this corruptible body, is very much circumscribed and limited in its sphere of action by the knowledge drawn from the coarse activity of the senses. Appreciate this priceless treasure of the Catholic faith given thee by God, watch over it and practice it in great esteem and reverence.” - The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus tells about the virtues and virtuous dispositions of the Virgin Mary, and the different types of virtue. She gets into more specific events in later chapters. Our Heavenly Queen tells us about the importance of developing our virtues and the capacity for virtue, which are separate.
“Consider and always remember the great nobility of virtue, how it so enlightens and beautifies the soul, that even if there were no other gain or object, the desire of possessing it for its own sake would be entirely justifiable. Now, that which exalts virtue beyond all comparison is, that its final end is God himself, for whom truth and perfection, which are its constituents, must be primarily intended. As soon as virtues attain this their end, namely God himself, they will be the foundation of the happiness and blessedness of the creature.” – the Blessed Virgin Mary
Life in the Temple of Jerusalem 10 BC
The Blessed Virgin Mary requested that Simeon and her teacher Anne prescribe for Her an order of life and to direct Her in the occupations. The priest and her instructress, having considered her petition (with the aid of grace) desired to regulate the exercises of this heavenly Child of only three years. She was given a daily schedule a routine which she exceeded.
The Virgin Mary told the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus, "In the works of performing more than is required by duty, obligation, or need, after praying for a holy cheerful readiness, ask the advice of thy confessor and superior, and perform them with a spirit entirely free of any preference or self-love. That which they direct, accept, and write in thy heart, never resting in its punctual fulfillment. If it is possible to avail thyself of obedience and counsel, never decide for thyself on anything, no matter how good it may appear to thee; because the true will of God is always manifest in holy obedience."
The Blessed Virgin Mary answers the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus' question about how to perfectly fulfill her vows and the demands of religious life. This is excellent info for the layperson as well.
"My dear daughter, I will not deny thee the instruction you ask of me with the desire of putting it into practice; but do thou receive it with an appreciative and devout mind, ready to follow it indeed." - The Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, having arrived at the temple, is taken up to Heaven and espoused to God. She is the daughter of the Father, The Mother of the Son, and the spouse of the Holy Spirit.
"My daughter, among the great and ineffable favors of the Omnipotent in the course of my life, was the one which you have just learned and described; for by this clear vision of the Divinity and of the incomprehensible essence I acquired knowledge of the most hidden sacraments and mysteries, and in this adornment and espousal I received incomparable blessings and felt the sweetest workings of the Divinity in my spirit." – The Blessed Virgin Mary
Now at the age of three, The Blessed Virgin Mary is presented at the Temple in Jerusalem where she meets St. Anne the prophetess and the High Priest Simeon for the first time.
In the final chapter of book 1, the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda gives us the details of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life from the age of 18-months until she was 3 (when she was consecrated to God at the temple in Jerusalem). The child Mary was very apprehensive about speaking to people because she saw how dangerous it could be. She also had a great love of humility, service, and love at this tender young age.
In the counseling at the end of the chapter, in the Virgin Mary’s own words, she reminds us and cautions us as a loving mother. "My dearest daughter, keep in mind, that all the living are born destined for death, but ignorant of the time allowed them; however this they know for certain, that the term of life is short, that eternity is without end, and that in this life they can only harvest what will yield life or death eternal. In this dangerous pilgrimage of life God has ordained, that no one shall know for certain, whether he is worthy (Ecclesiastes 9:1) of his love or hate; for if he uses his reason rightly, this uncertainty will urge him to seek with all his powers the friendship of that same Lord."
She continues, "But if man neglects to rise above his low desires and his forgetfulness, he yields to the enemy of God and man. The more he alienates himself from the goodness of God, so much the more unworthy does he become of the secret callings of the Most High, and so much the less does he appreciate his assistance, though it is great. For the demon and the passions have obtained a greater dominion and power over his intellect and have made him more unfit and more incapable of the grace of the Almighty. Thereon, my dear daughter rests the whole salvation or condemnation of souls, that is, in commencing to admit or resist the advances of the Lord. I desire you not to forget this doctrine, so that you may respond to the many calls which you receive of the Most High."
Speaking in the episode: The Holy Trinity, Sister Mary of Jesus, St. Anne, the Blessed Virgin Mary (as a child and post Assumption).
Although the Blessed Virgin Mary could speak from birth, she remained silent for the first year and a half of her life. She explained to the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda that she didn't want to attract undue attention by speaking at an age when she was expected not to do so. She also said silence is a virtue to be developed, and when we speak, we should do so very carefully. The Blessed Virgin Mary said, "To speak without moderation and forethought is a two-edged sword, which wounds both him that speaks and him that hears, and thus in two ways destroys charity or hinders [people] in all the virtues."
In Chapter 23 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes the Angels that were part of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s guards and assistants. She also describes what Mary knew and didn’t know about them. The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us of the invaluable gift from God, the assistance of the Angels, and how we should ask them for guidance and assistance, being grateful for their diligent support... and that God doesn’t like it when we don't.
What was the Blessed Virgin Mary like as an infant? In Chapter 22 Sister Mary of Jesus describes Mary as a child and her presentation at the temp. The Blessed Virgin Mary gave Sr. Mary (and us) a special request, “…which I desire you always to keep in mind. It is this: that you ponder in your heart and in your soul the truths, which I saw, so that you may form a correct judgment of all things, giving to each that esteem and value which is its due. In regard to this the children of Adam are ordinarily full of error and blindness…
On prayer and Gratitude… “I gave thanks to the Author of all things, acknowledging his works as benefits freely bestowed upon me, and not as dues, which He owed to me. Therefore, when anything was wanting of the necessaries of life I remained in peace and contentedness and deemed it all perfectly reasonable and proper in my regard since I had merited none of the gifts and could justly be deprived of all of them.”
On governance and religious obligations… “Despising just and wise laws and frequently dispensing with them destroys the worship and fear of God, and fatally confuses government among men. Beware of easily dispensing in the obligations of the religious state, either for yourself or for others. If infirmity or some other just cause make it advisable, let it be done with moderation and with the approval of the confessor, thus justifying dispensation before God and before men by the certification of holy obedience. If you find yourself weary or weakened, do not at once become remiss in the strict observance, for God will give you strength according to your faith in Him.” – Blessed Virgin Mary
The Blessed Virgin Mary was born on September 8th.
In chapter 21, the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus tells us about the birth of the Virgin Mary and about her daily ritual. The Virgin Mary told her, “…every day at beginning of dawn, I prostrated myself in the presence of the Most High and gave Him thanks and praise for his immutable Being, his infinite perfections, and for having created me out of nothing; acknowledging myself as his creature and the work of his hands, I blessed Him and adored Him, giving Him honor, magnificence, and Divinity, as the supreme Lord and Creator of myself and of all that exists. I raised up my spirit to place it into his hands, offering myself with profound humility and resignation to Him and asking Him to dispose of me according to his will during that day and during all the days of my life, and to teach me to fulfill whatever would be to his greater pleasure.”
After her birth, God could be heard making a decree to the Angels… “Our chosen One shall be called MARY, and this name is to be powerful and magnificent. Those that shall invoke it with devout affection shall receive most abundant graces; those that shall honor it and pronounce it with reverence shall be consoled and vivified and will find in it the remedy of their evils, the treasures for their enrichment, the light which shall guide them to heaven. It shall be terrible against the power of hell, it shall crush the head of the serpent and it shall win glorious victories over the princes of hell.”
In Chapter 20 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus tells us how the Blessed Virgin Mary prayed while in her mother's womb. The exact words of that prayer and how Mary had a fear of losing God from her conception until the end of her life. The Queen of Heaven told her, “…the two necessary dispositions of a Christian life [are]: one a quiet preservation of tranquillity in the soul, the other the constant presence of a holy fear and watchfulness, lest the treasure be lost. Nevertheless, make use of this fear with measure, and strive instead to excel in love. This, my dear friend, is the great test of spiritual things: that they come with true enlightenment and sound doctrine; that they teach greater perfection of virtues and excite a strong impulse toward seeking it. Do not trust your own judgment, and be not wise in your own conceit (Proverbs 3 7), for the judgments of men are only too easily blinded by their passions, throwing them out of their course and drawing after them the will as their captive.”
She went on to say that the surest way on staying on the path is obedience to our religious superiors.
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Expanding our understanding of the Immaculate Conception, The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus continues to share her revelations concerning chapter 21 of the book of Revelations and how it refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also describes how God, in His Providence, has granted Mary Queen of Angels tremendous graces for intervening on behalf of mankind. Reminding us that if only the world would turn to Mary, the Queen of Heaven – and offering the praise and affection she deserves, we would be freed from internal strife within the Church and freed from heresies, paganism, and all the things that torment the world. “Therefore let all the faithful, who are agitated and stirred up by the tormenting anxiety of their vices, pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that so they may obtain from Her this gift of peace.”
Remember that this great Princess honors those that honor Her, enriches those that seek Her, makes illustrious those that praise Her, and defends those that hope in Her.
In chapter 18 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus reminds us of Psalm 86:3, "Great and glorious things are said in the Catholic church of this City of God (the Blessed Virgin Mary), and of the splendor which She has received from that same Lord; but all of it is insignificant, and all human words fall short of the truth. The created intellect, entirely overcome, can only assert that the most holy Mary partakes of the Divinity more than can be comprehended; confessing thereby the substance of the reality, as well as the incapability of the mind, to express in a proper manner that which it wishes to confess. She is formed in the heavens, and only the Artificer who formed Her, is able to comprehend her greatness, He alone can estimate her origin and the affinity, which He contracted with most holy Mary, by perfecting her gifts to a resemblance of the attributes of his infinite greatness and Divinity." 268
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In chapter 17 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda continues to describe the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Only upon entering heaven will we truly begin to understand the immensity of this event and the depth of the graces showered down upon the Mother of God. Here she talks about Revelation 21:1-8, how it’s describing Mary, her conception, and creation. A wonderful and deeper look into the Immaculate Conception and God’s love for us, and His Mother.
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In Chapter 16 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda tells us what God revealed about the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception. How in her first instant, still in the womb, she turned to God in prayer. Giving thanks for her creation and pleading with God on behalf of sinners. God saw fit, that as Queen of the Angels, she would have full cognitive capabilities upon her creation just like the Angels. How she had every capacity that all the Saints and Profits ever had but in more abundance. How she recognized she had an Angelic escort, and her first request to them was that they turn and give thanks and praise to God continuously. In this chapter, the Blessed Virgin Mary comments on the revelation and how Sr. Mary, and all of the faithful, should follow her example. She goes on the assure Sr. Mary that she will guide her through this journey of describing the life of the Mother of God. The Queen of Heaven also explains how children should be lead to God and instructed from the very beginning of their lives.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was Immaculately Conceived. But do we know what that means? In chapter 15 the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus explains, in great detail, what the Immaculate Conception really means. She goes to great lengths to answer common questions. She also describes the creation of souls, how Mary's compared to it, and the fusion of that creation into/with our physical bodies. The Mystical City of God gives you a look inside the mind and heart of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, the Apostles, and many more.
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In chapter 14 of Mystical City of God, Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes her vision of the announcement God made to the angels about the beginning of the coming of Christ. Specifically, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first step. God also established a guard of 1000-angels that would administer to Mary, their Queen. You’ll come away from this chapter knowing God, the Holy Trinity, and Mary in a much closer way. By the command of God, Sister Mary of Jesus gives us a look ‘behind the curtain’ of the Divine will and mind, and how when God’s plans are sabotaged – as by Satan – He (with our co-operation) makes an even higher or better result take its place.
Speaking in this episode: The Holy Trinity, the holy angels Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda.
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In Chapter 13 we hear from God, the Archangel Gabriel, and the prayers of St. Anne and St. Joachim and how they interacted with each other. The most wonderful element of these revelations is that they give us a peek into the internal workings of the people (and of God) in the events leading up to the Incarnation – Our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Gabriel explains to St. Anne, “Good is incessant prayer and humble confidence. The Lord has heard thy petitions, for He is nigh to those who call upon Him with living faith and hope, and who expects his salvation (Psalm 144 18). If He delays hearing their clamors and defers the fulfillment of their prayers, it is to dispose them to receive, and to oblige Himself to give, much more than they ask and desire. Prayer and almsgiving open the treasures of the Lord, the omnipotent King, and incline Him to be lavish in mercy toward those, who ask (Tobit 11 8).”
God’s answer to the prayers of St. Joachim and St. Anne is more wonderful than either of them could have ever imagined.
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In chapter 12 The Venerable Sister Mary of Ágreda introduces us to St. Joachim and St. Anne, The Blessed Virgin Mary’s mom and dad, and the grandparents of the Our Lord. How they lived, where they lived and what they were like, and how they prayed for the coming of the child that would be Mary. She also tells us the Archangel Gabriel played a significant role in their lives. He appeared to both: one in physical form, the other in his sleep. Sound familiar? Despite being very holy people, Anne and Joachim were widely criticized for being childless after 20-years of marriage – a sure sign of Divine disapproval. But in their prayers, they appealed to God. And their beautiful daughter would be beyond their wildest dreams.
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The Venerable Sister Mary of Ágreda describes the creation of Adam and Eve, how they were based upon Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, being the first in intention. How the Passion of Our Lord and the steadfast love of Our Lady bore fruits before we were created. Satan’s confusion and assumptions (incorrect and based on his arrogance). How the merits of Christ and His Mother influenced humanity from the beginning, and the intense love of God that they brought about, being they had already been seen in the Divine mind in every detail. Sister Mary also gives us a complete overview of the Old Testament in under 15 minutes. A very powerful chapter.
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At the conclusion of the events outlined in Revelations 12, Satan and demons held a council in hell. During the council, all forms of sin and depravity were decided upon. They came to the conclusion that the greatest vengeance and injury against God would be to impede the effects of His love, which they knew God bore toward mankind.
Satan asked to be able to tempt and afflict Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. God allowed it, but He also confirmed that Satan could have no part in Mary and that he was not allowed to harm her physically. God told Satan that Christ would defeat his temptations as an example for the faithful. Satan, knowing that he would fail in his attempts at Mary, turned his focus to the rest of us. The full conversation was witnessed by the Venerable Sister Mary of Ágreda and reproduced here.
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Venerable Sister Mary of Ágreda concludes what she has learned regarding Revelations 12. Satan protests his treatment and claims to be superior to the Incarnate Word (Jesus), and doubles down on his refusal to be subject to an inferior creature. Our Heavenly Father speaks directly about Christ, how He will teach and be a wonderful example, what will happen to humankind, and how He will offer a remedy for the fall of Adam and Eve if only people will take it.
Chapter 12 of the book of Revelations is explained to the Venerable Sister Maria of Ágreda. These events have already happened. Satan is transformed into the ugly dragon and thrown out of Heaven. Arrogantly, he continues to threaten God's divine plan. God assures Satan of Mary’s place, and with His grace, the dragon will never reach her. Mary’s sinless creation and life mean she is never under Satan’s influence, not even through original sin.
After God created the angels, they were shown the Divine plan for the creation of the world and the human race whose apex would be the Incarnation of the Word (Jesus Christ) via the Blessed Virgin Mary. This brought on the fall of the angels that did not love God. Out of wild pride, jealousy, and arrogance Satan threatened God’s plan and told Him that he would destroy the mortals and especially this Virgin he loved so much. He would fail in his boasting. God Himself warned Satan, "This Woman, whom you refuse to honour, shall crush thy head and by Her shalt thou be vanquished and annihilated (Genesis 3:15). And if through thy pride, death enters into the world (Wisdom 2:24), life and salvation of mortals shall enter through the humility of this Woman. Those that are of the nature and likeness of that Man and Woman, shall enjoy the gifts and the crowns, which thou and thy followers have lost."
Venerable Sr. Mary of Jesus had some doubts about what was revealed to her about the coming of Christ or the Redemption as separate events. So many teachers in His holy church teach that our redemption was the primary cause of the Incarnation. She also asked about the differences in teaching within the Church. God answered both questions directly and tells her that differences, when based on truth, increases our understanding.
Venerable Sr. Maria de Jesus details how Jesus, the Incarnation, and thus the Blessed Virgin Mary, were first in intent in the creation of all things using the Book of Proverbs. She also relates how Mary was to be set apart in a unique way from the rest of creation – before anything was created.
Christ and thus the Blessed Virgin Mary were first in God's intention. To help us understand the sequence or the development of creation, Sister Maria de Jesus of Ágreda breaks down the decisions or instances leading up to the creation of the material (the universe and us) and immaterial (angels and heaven and hell) as they were relayed to her by God and the angels guiding her.
The Venerable Sister Maria de Jesus of Ágreda is given a vision of the Holy Trinity and describes what she saw. She details their nature and substance, within our very limited understanding. As a tool, she also describes what they are not, and how they don’t work, in the order or ways that are familiar to us. It's a real eye opener.
The Venerable Sister Maria de Jesus of Ágreda describes how the history of the Blessed Virgin Mary was explained to her. The different types or modes of revelation she experienced and their grades or characteristics. She tells us of how she was born with a great grace – the fear of the loss of God. Seen by many as a weakness in faith, Maria tells us of how it is, “Her greatest blessing.”
The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes two special visions granted to her by Our Lord. She also discusses other enlightenments and mysteries made clear to her which compelled her to withdraw from earthly things and raised her spirit to dwell above the earth.
An introduction to the life of the Queen of Heaven. The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Agreda explains the reason for writing the life story of the Blessed Virgin Mary and she explains other circumstances and occurrences she encountered while writing this history.
Mystical City of God is the work of the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus from Ágreda. Her writings reveal, explore and explain the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You'll be exposed to information you thought didn't exist. God's plan and promises to and for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her Immaculate Conception, her parents, her early life, and full explanations regarding the Gospel events from Our Blessed Mother herself. You can have no better teacher.