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Mystical City of God: The Conception
Written by Venerable María de Jesús de Agreda, a 17th century Spanish nun, after years of private revelations from God the Father and Most Holy Mary, Mística Ciudad de Dios (The Mystical City of God) is a marvelous and life-changing narrative of most wonderful and hidden mysteries about the life of Most Holy Mary and his Son Jesus Our Lord that has been enthralling readers for centuries.
Composed of the Conception, Incarnation, Transfixion and Coronation, this magnificent narrative takes the reader through the various stages of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, plus it reveals all sorts of facts about our entire salvation history.
Pope Innocent XI and Pope Alexander VIII in 1690 expressly declared that the City of God may be read by all the faithful. Pope Clement XI and Benedict XIV gave like decisions.
Composed of the Conception, Incarnation, Transfixion and Coronation, this magnificent narrative takes the reader through the various stages of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, plus it reveals all sorts of facts about our entire salvation history.
Pope Innocent XI and Pope Alexander VIII in 1690 expressly declared that the City of God may be read by all the faithful. Pope Clement XI and Benedict XIV gave like decisions.
636 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1670
76 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Mary of Agreda
76 books28 followersVenerable Mary of Jesus of Ágreda, OIC, also known as the Abbess of Ágreda (2 April 1602 – 24 May 1665), was a Franciscan abbess and spiritual writer, known especially for her extensive correspondence with King Philip IV of Spain and reports of her bilocation between Spain and its colonies in New Spain (now New Mexico and Texas). She was a noted mystic of her era.
A member of the Order of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Conceptionists, Mary of Jesus wrote fourteen books, including a series of revelations about the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her bilocation activity is said to have occurred between her cloistered monastery in rural Spain and the Jumano Indians of central New Mexico and West Texas, and inspired many Franciscan missionaries in the New World. In popular culture since the 17th century, she has been dubbed the Lady in Blue and the Blue Nun, after the color of her order's habit.
A member of the Order of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Conceptionists, Mary of Jesus wrote fourteen books, including a series of revelations about the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her bilocation activity is said to have occurred between her cloistered monastery in rural Spain and the Jumano Indians of central New Mexico and West Texas, and inspired many Franciscan missionaries in the New World. In popular culture since the 17th century, she has been dubbed the Lady in Blue and the Blue Nun, after the color of her order's habit.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 29, 2020
This book, by Mary of Agreda (an abbess and mystic in the 1600s), was the first of her writings concerning the Immaculate Conception and early life of the Virgin Mary. The Vatican has authorized this as being a true and verified case of private revelation. In the end, one must rely on faith and discernment with equal proportions. Assuming its legitimacy (it is certainly written with good intention), I have found it to be literally quite life-changing. This has challenged and moved me in such a way that no book has before. I feel blessed for having recieved this book and I will surely hold it in high regard always.
April 30, 2023
The rating is for my personal enjoyment of having read it.
On the one hand, overall it was very interesting and the beginning bits about the Creation, Fall of Lucifer, fall of man, etc gave me some aha moments. Also, I did feel the stirrings of "ah, yes, I should try to be a better person", and the nudges in that direction are a good thing for me.
On the other, it's incredibly lengthy (not a bad thing in above itself) but it does get repetitive or go off on tangents that, while perhaps worthy or edifying, didn't seem...necessary. I did look at the abridged version and it cuts out 75% of all of the volumes, and that was too much. It also cut out a lot of the good stuff from this volume, and that didn't make me want to read it in place of the next few volumes.
I don't know that it brought me any closer to a love or appreciation for Our Lady. She appears, especially in relating her youth, as merely solemn and, well, boring. She also does not come across as human. I know she is and never does it claim that she is NOT, but she doesn't come across as having natural joy or happiness or silliness. The only emotion she seemed to exhibit that was related to anything dealing with this world was sorrow when Anne and Joachim died. I can believe that Mary acted "less human" because she was so holy and so attuned with God, but it makes it harder to connect with her.
All I was getting from portions of this was "the world is evil, everything in it is evil, think only of God, take pleasure in nothing that is remotely of the world." But we are human, we are meant to be loving and silly and enjoy (within reason) our food and our sleep and our hot showers and a warm summer night with a sky full of stars; good company, a lovely book, to play with our children, to love our spouse, etc. While thinking of God only IS a worthy thing that doesn't mean that simple pleasures without being taken out of proportions are in any way wrong. And also, most people are not cloistered nuns or monks... but Mary is supposedly relating all this to a nun so I guess maybe it's only meant for her?
In the end, I tell myself, if I read something that helped or guided me or made me understand something better, I'll take it and use it and be glad for it. If it didn't help me, let it go.
On the one hand, overall it was very interesting and the beginning bits about the Creation, Fall of Lucifer, fall of man, etc gave me some aha moments. Also, I did feel the stirrings of "ah, yes, I should try to be a better person", and the nudges in that direction are a good thing for me.
On the other, it's incredibly lengthy (not a bad thing in above itself) but it does get repetitive or go off on tangents that, while perhaps worthy or edifying, didn't seem...necessary. I did look at the abridged version and it cuts out 75% of all of the volumes, and that was too much. It also cut out a lot of the good stuff from this volume, and that didn't make me want to read it in place of the next few volumes.
I don't know that it brought me any closer to a love or appreciation for Our Lady. She appears, especially in relating her youth, as merely solemn and, well, boring. She also does not come across as human. I know she is and never does it claim that she is NOT, but she doesn't come across as having natural joy or happiness or silliness. The only emotion she seemed to exhibit that was related to anything dealing with this world was sorrow when Anne and Joachim died. I can believe that Mary acted "less human" because she was so holy and so attuned with God, but it makes it harder to connect with her.
All I was getting from portions of this was "the world is evil, everything in it is evil, think only of God, take pleasure in nothing that is remotely of the world." But we are human, we are meant to be loving and silly and enjoy (within reason) our food and our sleep and our hot showers and a warm summer night with a sky full of stars; good company, a lovely book, to play with our children, to love our spouse, etc. While thinking of God only IS a worthy thing that doesn't mean that simple pleasures without being taken out of proportions are in any way wrong. And also, most people are not cloistered nuns or monks... but Mary is supposedly relating all this to a nun so I guess maybe it's only meant for her?
In the end, I tell myself, if I read something that helped or guided me or made me understand something better, I'll take it and use it and be glad for it. If it didn't help me, let it go.
February 24, 2023
The Mystical City of God is the most sublime thing I've read, behind Sacred Scripture.
September 26, 2023
99/100 (= 5.9/6) ≈ 5 Stars
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How do I review such a monumental work?! The numerous recommendations by Popes, Bishops, and Theologians (enough to fill a large volume) and the years of study dedicated to these volumes by the great Catholic universities (Toulouse, Salamanca, Louvain, Alcala, Granada, Saragossa) and theologians from 17 different orders are enough to show its importance. The devil certainly doesn't like it -- the preface to the German edition says few books have attracted his hatred as much as this one, and he's been attacking it constantly for 300 years!
It truly is magnificent. So deep. So high. So humble. The small anecdote about her burning the first version out of obedience and re-writing it out of obedience demonstrates her humble spirit. I think it carries even more weight than Anne Catherine Emmerich (though also very good), since she wrote these words herself, and didn't just dictate them to a third party. It's more spiritual. And the mysteries contained here. Boy. [Maybe it's worth noting that we should try to read this prayerfully as opposed to sensationally...] To marvel at the Glories of Mary, but also to learn how to imitate her. So many lessons. I see it as a marvelous gift to mankind from God's boundless Mercy.
1000 thanks, Dad, for patiently singing its praises throughout the years.
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How do I review such a monumental work?! The numerous recommendations by Popes, Bishops, and Theologians (enough to fill a large volume) and the years of study dedicated to these volumes by the great Catholic universities (Toulouse, Salamanca, Louvain, Alcala, Granada, Saragossa) and theologians from 17 different orders are enough to show its importance. The devil certainly doesn't like it -- the preface to the German edition says few books have attracted his hatred as much as this one, and he's been attacking it constantly for 300 years!
It truly is magnificent. So deep. So high. So humble. The small anecdote about her burning the first version out of obedience and re-writing it out of obedience demonstrates her humble spirit. I think it carries even more weight than Anne Catherine Emmerich (though also very good), since she wrote these words herself, and didn't just dictate them to a third party. It's more spiritual. And the mysteries contained here. Boy. [Maybe it's worth noting that we should try to read this prayerfully as opposed to sensationally...] To marvel at the Glories of Mary, but also to learn how to imitate her. So many lessons. I see it as a marvelous gift to mankind from God's boundless Mercy.
1000 thanks, Dad, for patiently singing its praises throughout the years.
August 27, 2024
The Mystical City of God ~ Volume I, The Conception
By Blessed Mary Agreda
This volume gives us great insight into St. Anne and St. Joachim, their struggles, and their love for their Child.
She is born and so beautiful. Filled with grace from the onset, we learn. A thousand angels guard Her Majesty even in Her youth.
We learn about her requests to Blessed Mary Agreda. She tells us about herself here to request our cooperation and holiness. She helps us understand more clearly the great sanctity that suffering avails the soul.
This book is not just a beautiful read but a profound experience. It feels as if Our Lady is speaking directly to me, and her call for holiness, though challenging, brings me closer to the divine.
As I read, I am reminded that all things are possible with God. This book is a call for holiness and a beacon of hope that inspires me to strive for the impossible.
Indeed, nothing is impossible with God. He takes dust and forms us; by His power, we can offer Him the homage He deserves. Our Lady is the guiding light, the beacon that shows us the way.
I will take a break from this series and return in a few months.
By Blessed Mary Agreda
This volume gives us great insight into St. Anne and St. Joachim, their struggles, and their love for their Child.
She is born and so beautiful. Filled with grace from the onset, we learn. A thousand angels guard Her Majesty even in Her youth.
We learn about her requests to Blessed Mary Agreda. She tells us about herself here to request our cooperation and holiness. She helps us understand more clearly the great sanctity that suffering avails the soul.
This book is not just a beautiful read but a profound experience. It feels as if Our Lady is speaking directly to me, and her call for holiness, though challenging, brings me closer to the divine.
As I read, I am reminded that all things are possible with God. This book is a call for holiness and a beacon of hope that inspires me to strive for the impossible.
Indeed, nothing is impossible with God. He takes dust and forms us; by His power, we can offer Him the homage He deserves. Our Lady is the guiding light, the beacon that shows us the way.
I will take a break from this series and return in a few months.
October 27, 2020
Life-changing, in that you will think about the Blessed Mother more when living through your everyday life. Much is revealed about her in these pages that will inspire you, comfort you, and answer the questions you had about her when she was living her earthly life. Exact dates are provided throughout and I was stunned to learn that she was seventy-years old when she was taken into heaven. The moments in her life when the angels attended to her and her needs. The story when traveling to find a place for the birth the Christ child never left me. I read all volumes, so I am not sure which volume this depiction of her life takes place.
August 22, 2021
Magnificent! This is a lengthy book and written in an older style so it takes effort to read and pay attention to it's details. It's well worth the effort though, for its insights into Sacred Scripture and into the life of Our Lady. Read it, enjoy it and be enriched by it.
April 1, 2022
Beautiful and life changing!! Definitely keeps you pondering and in awe!! I’m reading & following along all 4 volumes listening to it on Father Edward Looney’s The Mystical City of God in a Year podcast with his commentary afterwards each day!! I plan to repeat it every year!!
September 12, 2023
As an atheist, who once was a deeply religious man I consider this book to be a supreme achievement of the christian literature. It is absolutely wonderful and should be read by anyone who wants to understand christianity's core beliefs.
April 5, 2020
Amazingly beautiful book that literally brought me to tears several times. The book reminds us about the extent of Gods love for us humans, and our salvation. Highly recommend to anyone.
November 2, 2021
Reading this requires every single one of your brain cells and then some. I pray for the grace of understanding. This saint was offered so many insights about such complex ideas!
April 20, 2022
Difficult reading but amazing info on the life of the Blessed Virgin. I read with an online group led by our pastor, which kept me going.
February 3, 2016
This was an audio book from LibriVox.
http://librivox.org/mystical-city-of-...
http://librivox.org/mystical-city-of-...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews