The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

by Mary of Agreda

A highly successful abridgment of the monumental 2,676-page 4 vol. life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as seen in mystic vision by Ven. Mary of Agreda (1602-1665). This book overflows with enthralling information about Our Lord and Our Lady, about the creation of the world, the meaning of the Apocalypse, Lucifer's rebellion, the location of hell, the hidden life of Jesus, etc. Reveals that St Joseph ate meat, but Our Lord and Our Lady seldom did. Makes Christ's hidden life really come alive. Acclaimed by the Popes, cardinals and theologians - one of the greatest Catholic books ever.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology

627 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1660

About the author

Venerable 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.

Reviews

[Dejah]

This book overflows with information, revealed through private revelation, on our Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother Mary, who always leads us to her Son. What better way to learn to be holy than by reading about how Jesus and Mary lived their lives and to follow their example. The Catholic Church teaches that no one is obligated to believe in private revelation, and that as long as the revelation does not contradict the teachings of the Church, can serve to deepen our love for God.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Life and times of Mary...as revealed to Venerable Mary of Agreda. Marvelous in both a spiritual and physical sense. It left me awe stuck and humbled. Grateful too for learning so much about her life and her loves...for her Son, for us sinners, and for the Church and the faithful. This is the abridged version of 600 pages but now I wish I had chosen the unabridged (2700 pages). The cardinal and spiritual virtues are the prominent characteristics of Mary ....many of them infused but all practiced to the highest degree. This book is inspirational for traditional Catholics like none other.

[Maygon Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! 🤩 If only I could give more stars!! Besides the Bible, I believe that this book is so special, beautiful, informative and important to read!! It took me a while to read it because there’s so much to ponder!! I want to get the unabridged 4 volume set and read them over and over, continuously. Besides my Bible, this is by far my most favorite book ever!!

[Keenan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essentially the biography of the Virgin Mary, and now official doctrine of the church. The Virgin Mary appeared to the Venerable Mary of Agreda in the 1600's and dictated her life story with the intention of having it printed into a book. The original is over 2000 pages but this is the abridged version.

I really liked this book because it portrays the life of Mary beyond the basics of being the mother of Jesus. Some of the most enlightening questions that I had answered were:

Who were Jesus' grandparents (Mary's parents) and did they know the fate of their lineage?
Was Mary born divine and with knowledge of her fate?
What was Mary's childhood like?
How did Mary and Joseph come to be married and what conflict was there?
Upon seeing Mary pregnant (at age 14!!), what was Joseph's reaction?
What kind of parent's were Mary and Joseph and what was their role in the early years of Jesus' crusade?
During the passion, where was Mary and what were her feelings?
After Jesus' death, how long did Mary live and what was her role in working with the Apostles in establishing the Catholic Church and gospel writings?
How did Mary and Joseph die?
Why is devotion to Mary important?

[Felmar Roel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If all the Holy Bibles in this Planet Earth are to be gone and destroyed for ever, and you have at least two or three books to save, then this immortal oeuvre by the Spanish Franciscan mystic, the Venerable Mary of Agreda, should be one of those two or three books to save for ever.

This book (an abridged edition in one volume of the original four volumes work) stands with the Holy Bible and with Saint Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" as the foundation stones of Christian spirituality, may be including also "The Confessions" of Saint Augustine.

This book by the Venerable Mary truely changes lives also, for eternal glory and for eternal enlightenment that leads to eternal exaltation, which are all touched in the work it self.

[Rosemary Lauryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not as affected by this vision as by the ones revealed to Anne Catherine Emmerich, but I think it's just because of the two different writing styles. This gives great insight into the life of Mary and the wonderful spiritual and physical ways she took care of Christ, St. Joseph, the Apostles, and the Church. I also was really struck by how much influence she had over the writing of the Gospel and how humble she was in not wanting herself to seem too important. We can all take a lesson from that!

[Domie Nithya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a glorious memoir of our Lady. I've found profound understanding, renewed reverence and a longing to practice all virtues at the feet of our Lady. Changed my life, and this book truly is a watershed in my catholic journey.
Planning to reread again , this time as a form of prayer and contemplation.

[Darrin Podeschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing blessing

This is one of the most important books I have ever read - along with the Bible, St Faustina’s Diary of Mercy, Divine Intimacy, and St Catherine of Siena’s conversations with God.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite book I've ever read. There is nothing left to the imagination, you will left awestruck

[Reuben Nuxoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent transcription of Mary of Agreda's mystical experience of the Blessed Virgin Mary, helpful to contemplate what our Lady went through. A couple dangers are putting more faith in this than Scripture, and - in my perception - taking things literally all the time, including what I believe are anachronisms and ideas of Mary of Agreda mixed in with what she received. Most of the novelty of her visions are powerful insights, but some might be her own ideas, and yet it is possible for people to believe them as if they were Scripture. They're not. Yet very worth the read if you have a deeper spiritual life and want to grow in your relationship with God and the Woman he chose.

[Fleur-de-lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What We Don’t Know About Her!

I am quoting from someone famous: “The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know anything.” While the Bible has almost next to nothing about Mary, Venerable Mary of Jesus of Agreda knew almost everything about Her. This nun had the power of bilocation and is attributed to converting Native Americans in Arizona and New Mexico while remaining physically in Spain. I had no idea of this nun until after I read the book. All I can say is my faith makes sense in relation to what Mary’s role was and is. If the topic of Mary turns you off, this book will not. I won’t say anymore on this book with the hopes that everyone will read it. Everyone needs to read it.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me some time to read as I would read it for a while and set it aside and later come back to it. Incredibly powerful to read about Our Mother from the words of this mystic. I liked to bring it with me to Adoration and meditate on the words given to her about the Holy Family. I have discovered that Mary of Agreda spent years instructing Native Americans in Texas and New Mexico before missionaries arrived, but had never left Spain! If you enjoy the mystical writings, you'll love this and appreciate the incredible depth and power of her faith.

[Diana Kullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose the 608 page abridged addition as I was very new to the lives of mystics. I am very tempted to purchase the four volume set of 2676 pages and read this in full. I did buy the four volume set of Anna Catherine Emmerich's visions as I was daunted by the 800+ page book that I purchased while working on the Consecration of St Joseph. The more I read of these visions, the more I want to read.

[Michael Rogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-changing for me. Like a behind-the-scenes look at salvation history, essentially dictated by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Maria of Agreda, who was no slouch herself - bilocated from her convent in Spain to evangelize American Indians in the SW before any missionaries had even gotten there.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

These meditations on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary helped me to see better the ways of God in revealing and sharing his goodness. Ever humble, Mary shows the path to God and gives her assistance whenever called upon.

[MadeleineRoseReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep but very good! Only read when your ready for it. I didn't feel any part of it missing even though it is abridged. It's put together very nicely and I reccommend if you're wanting to deepen your marian devotion. It deepened my devotion to Mary and I hope it will for you! Good book!

[Jeanne Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ told by her to a nun. Many things I wondered about her life over the years finally made sense or questions answered. Truly a mind-blowing revelation.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I need to read the actual 4 volumes that this book came from! If only the whole world really knew just how special the Blessed Mother really is and everything that's she's done is still does for us. ❤️

[John Eudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a more challenging read for a simpleton like me; HOWEVER, this book had a significant, positive impact on my faith. Simply said, I gained a deeper biblical understanding and appreciation for St. Joseph, Our Blessed Mother, and our Lord Jesus.

[Terry Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that helps you get to know Mary better. The flowery, antiquated language gets in the way of the message sometimes.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really really hard read, but I comprehended most of it. Lends a few theories of how the gaps were filled in, in the Bible.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every christian should read.

[Michelle M. Huet · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and promises deep contemplation on the beauty of God emulated through His beloved daughter, mother and spouse.

[JR Eftink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book about the life of the Holy Blessed Virgin Mary!!! It was an interesting & inspirational way to see how I am to live my life every day!!!

[Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional book and brings you deeper into the life of Mary.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Fantastic! A must read! What better person to convey insights on the Father and Son than the blessed Virgin Mary? At the end of each chapter describing events in her life as described by Venerable Mary of Agreda, the Blessed Mother gives a few paragraphs of commentary. They are precious. And sobering. A must read for anyone’s spiritual journey.
As a side note, I noticed that some of the descriptions of events conflict with descriptions from Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich’s book on Mary. Not sure how to reconcile that. Probably a good discussion topic with a priest or theologian someday!

[Jen Restad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from reading this book!

[Katlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite! A wonderful, shimmering glimpse at the hidden yet divinely-inspired life of Our Blessed Mother.

[Mary McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about our most holy.mother !

Loved the entire book start to finish it was a great read! So many interesting facts I would recommend this book to everyone

[Sandra Sparkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the life of Our Blessed Mother! She conceived Jesus, carried Him, gave birth to Him, and accompanied him throughout his life in order to give Him to us.