The Mystical City of God Quotes

“Let then mortals, who have sinned against God, undeceive themselves: without penance there shall be no grace, without reform no pardon, without pardon no glory. But just as these are not conceded to those that are unworthy, so they are also never denied to those that are worthy; nor is ever the mercy of God withheld from any one who seeks to obtain it.”
― Mary of Agreda, The Mystical City of God: Popular Abridgement: The Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“In the midst of these tormenting anxieties the holy spouse Joseph appealed to the tribunal of the Lord in prayer and placing himself in His presence, he said: “Most high Lord and God, my desires and sighs are not unknown to Thee. I find myself cast about by the violent waves of sorrow (Psalms 31:10) which through my senses have come to afflict my heart. I have given myself over with entire confidence to the Spouse whom Thou hast given me. I have confided entirely in her holiness; and the signs of this unexpected change in her are giving rise to tormenting and fearful doubts lest my confidence be misplaced. Nothing have I until now seen in her which could give occasion for any doubt in her modesty and her extraordinary virtue; yet at the same time I cannot deny that she is pregnant. To think that she has been unfaithful to me, and has offended Thee, would be temerity in view of such rare purity and holiness: to deny what my own eyes perceive is impossible. But”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“So much value does the Almighty set on the proper order in created things, that, though Jesus was the true God and His Mother so highly exalted above St. Joseph in sanctity, He did not permit the arrangements of this journey to proceed from His Son nor from His Mother, but from St. Joseph, who was the head of this Family. God intended to teach all mortals, that He wishes all things to be governed by the natural order set up by His Providence; and that the inferiors and subjects of the mystical body of the Church, even though they may excel in virtue and in certain other respects, must obey and submit to their superiors and prelates in the visible order.”
― Venerable Mary of Agreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“So much value does the Almighty set on the proper order in created things, that, though Jesus was the true God and His Mother so highly exalted above St. Joseph in sanctity, He did not permit the arrangements of this journey to proceed from His Son nor from His Mother, but from St. Joseph, who was the head of this Family. God intended to teach all mortals, that He wishes all things to be governed by the natural order set up by His Providence; and that the inferiors and subjects of the mystical body of the Church, even thougj they may excel in virtue and in certain other respects, must obey and submit to their superiors and prelates in the visible order.”
― Venerable Mary of Agreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“All the inanimate beings recognized the living and true Ark of the Testament (Josue 3:16) more”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“immense love of the eternal Father and most estimable in His eyes. They”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“that the presumption and pride of worldly wisdom is more powerful in its devotees, than humility and true self-knowledge is in the children of light. Consider”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Nothing that she wore upon her most pure and virginal body became soiled or worn; for she neither perspired, nor was she subject to the punishments, which are laid upon the sin-impregnated bodies of the children of Adam. She”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Never did St. Joseph see his heavenly Spouse asleep, nor did he of his own experience know whether she ever slept, although he besought her to take some rest, especially during the time of her sacred pregnancy. The”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“But whenever he found the great Lady in these occupations and postures, he would presume no farther than to look upon her with profound reverence; and thereby he merited sometimes to hear the sweetest harmony of the celestial music, with which the angels regaled their Queen, and perceived a wonderful fragrancy which comforted him and filled him entirely with jubilation and joy of spirit.”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Do not frustrate the humble desires of her who is supreme over all the creatures of Heaven and earth. Exteriorly”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“She besought St. Joseph not to bend the knees to her, for though this worship was due to the Lord whom she carried in her womb, yet as long as He was within unseen by anyone no distinction was externally manifest between His and her own person. The”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Of all the sins, which the sons of the Church commit, none is more horrible than these in the eyes of the Most High. This”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Great was my presumption in resolving to leave thee and not less great was my rudeness in treating thee until now as my inferior, instead of serving thee as the Mother of my Lord and God. But”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Weeping, he began to show his reverence for his heavenly Spouse, by setting the rooms in order, scrubbing the floors, which were to be touched by the sacred feet of most holy Mary. He also performed other chores which he had been accustomed to leave to the heavenly Lady before he knew her dignity. He”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Amid these recognitions and these acts of virtue, the spirit of St. Joseph remained tranquil and apt for the reception of new influences of the Holy Spirit. His”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“She addressed herself entirely to her most holy Son in her womb, and with most ardent affection of her soul she prayed: “Lord and God of my soul, with thy permission, although I am but dust and ashes (Gen. 8:27), I will speak in thy kingly presence and manifest to Thee my sighs, that cannot be hidden from Thee. (Psalms 37:19). It is my duty not to be remiss in assisting the spouse whom I have received from thy hand. I see him overwhelmed by the tribulation, which Thou hast sent him, and it would not be kind in me to forsake him therein. If I have found grace in thy eyes, I beseech Thee, Lord and eternal God, by the love which obliged Thee to enter into the womb of thy servant for the salvation of mankind, to be pleased to console thy servant Joseph and dispose him to assist me in the fulfillment of thy great works. It would not be well that I, thy servant, be left without a husband for a protection and guardian. Do not permit, my Lord and God, that he execute his resolve and withdraw from me.” The Most High answered her: “My dearest Dove, I shall presently visit my servant Joseph with consolation; and after I shall have manifested to him by my angel the sacrament, which is unknown to him, thou mayest speak openly about all that I have done with thee, without the necessity of keeping silent thenceforward in these matters. I will fill him with my spirit and make him apt to perform his share”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“beseech you, my friends, to present before God’s clemency the afflictions of my spouse Joseph. Beseech the Lord to look upon him and console him as a true Father. And”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“St. Joseph could not entirely conceal his cruel sorrow, and therefore he often appeared to be in doubt and sad suspense. Sometimes, carried away by his grief, he spoke to his heavenly Spouse with some degree of severity, such as he had not shown before. This”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“position of head and husband of the family, though with rare humility and prudence. As”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Although her soul was full of tenderness and compassion for the sufferings of her spouse, she said not a word in the matter; but she continued to serve him with all devotion and solicitude. The man of God watched her without outward demonstration, yet with a greater anxiety than that of any man that ever lived. The”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Besides all this was the certainty of his not having any part in this pregnancy, the effects of which were before his eyes; and there was the inevitable dishonor which would follow as soon as it would become public. This”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“One day, when St. Joseph was full of anxious doubts and saw her coming out of her oratory, he noticed more particularly this evident change, without being able to explain away what he saw so clearly with his eyes. The man of God was wounded to his inmost heart by an arrow of grief, unable to ward off the force of evidence, which at the same time wounded his soul. The principal cause of his grief was the most chaste, and therefore the most intense love with which he cherished his most faithful Spouse, and in which he had from the beginning given over to her his whole heart. Moreover,”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Drive away, or do not allow thyself to be influenced by even the least breath of flattery and avoid the conversations which expose thee to it; for such deceitful pleasure darkens the light and perverts the unsuspecting mind. The”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“But from my instruction today learn especially to seek direction in the way of virtue and of eternal life in all thy intercourse with men, be they above or below thee in dignity. Imitate”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Their countenance should be resplendent, like that of Moses, when”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Zacharias was still dumb, and therefore it was necessary that St. Elisabeth should preside at this meeting. Over”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“The heavenly Queen, in offering him to the eternal Father, pronounced this prayer for him: “Highest Lord and Father, all holy and powerful, accept in thy honor this offering and seasonable fruit of thy most holy Son and my Lord. He is sanctified by the Only-begotten and rescued from the effects of sin and from the power of thy ancient enemies. Receive this morning’s sacrifice, and infuse into this child the blessings of thy Holy Spirit, in order that he may be a faithful minister to Thee and to thy Only-begotten.” This”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“The Most High would have denied His beloved Mother much and benefited her little, if He had deprived and withdrawn from her the occasion of exercising the profoundest humility and had instead exposed her to the exterior applause of men. It would”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God

“Before issuing from the maternal womb the Lord revealed to the blessed child the hour in which he was to commence his mortal career among men. The”
― María de Jesús de Ágreda, The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God