Mystical city of God : life of the Virgin Mother of God, manifested to sister Mary of Jesus

The “Mystical City of God” (La mística ciudad de Dios) is a monumental work of mystical and theological literature attributed to Venerable María de Jesús de Ágreda, a 17th-century Spanish mystic and Discalced Franciscan nun. Born in 1602 in Ágreda, Spain, María de Jesús de Ágreda entered the convent at a young age and later became its abbess.

Comprising four volumes, the “Mystical City of God” is a detailed account of the life of the Virgin Mary, from her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption into Heaven. The work is a product of María de Jesús de Ágreda’s mystical experiences, visions, and revelations, which she claimed to have received from the Virgin Mary and other celestial beings.

Key themes and elements of the “Mystical City of God” include:

1. Immaculate Conception: María de Jesús de Ágreda presents the Virgin Mary as conceived without original sin, a doctrine that was officially defined as dogma by the Catholic Church in 1854.
2. Virgin’s Life: The work provides an intricate narrative of the Virgin Mary’s life, including her childhood, betrothal to Joseph, the Annunciation, the birth of Jesus, and various events from the Gospels.
3. Role in Redemption: María de Jesús de Ágreda explores Mary’s unique role in the redemption of humanity through her cooperation with God’s plan for salvation.
4. Mystical Insights: The work delves into mystical and theological insights, often using symbolic language and allegory to convey spiritual truths.
5. Bilocation: María de Jesús de Ágreda claims to have been supernaturally transported to the American Southwest to evangelize Native American populations. This aspect of her mystical experiences is intertwined with the narrative.

The “Mystical City of God” has been both praised for its spiritual depth and criticized for its unconventional style and the extraordinary nature of the mystic’s claims. Despite controversy during María de Jesús de Ágreda’s lifetime, the work has had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality and has been influential among certain religious communities. The Church recognizes María de Jesús de Ágreda as Venerable, and her cause for beatification is ongoing.