Sunday, July 18, 2010
On The Mystical City of God
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I always found the Mystical City of God to be nearly impossible to read, but I think it was because I approached the work of Ven. Mary of Agreda more out of curiosity than devotion. It seems to me that I need a special grace to be able to read the work attentively. I'm only now beginning to read a few sections corresponding to the mysteries of the Rosary, and I sense Our Lady has granted me the grace to do so - perhaps through the intercession of Ven. Solanus Casey, who used to read the book while kneeling.
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Fr. Peter used to be my confessor. He's the greatest.
ReplyDeleteHow you must miss him!
ReplyDeleteI am still blown away at the miracle of Ven. Maria of Agreda and the native indians in the Americas, whom she instructed in the Faith, without ever leaving her convent in Spain.
ReplyDeleteThis Fr Peter seems like a gem. God bless him.
Fr Peter is at the Shrine of OL of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wi...just shuttle on over (if you can!)...it's a great way to spend a day.
ReplyDeleteI must confess, I've tried and failed with the Mystical City of God.
Give me both Teresas, John of the Cross, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Pope Benedict, Adrienne von Speyr, Caryll Houselander...I'm set.
The works of mystics like this just leave me "cold" (do I need an exorcism??)...but Terry, you've inspired me to try, once again.
Yep. After some prayer to Our Lady, I will give this a shot.
Just because.
It.Will.Be.Good.For.My.Soul:<)!
Thanks!
I have a funny confession about these books. When I was a child, my father had the four volume set of the Mystical City of God high on the top of his book case (if you have the set my father had, they only say "City of God" on the spines.) As I got older (actually fairly recently I say with a red face!) I came to find out that these were not the City of God by St. Augustine, but the Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda. I was always so in awe of people who had read all of St. Augustine's City of God, all this time thinking it was four huge tomes of work and never wanting to come near it myself!
ReplyDeleteIs that where Fr. Peter is? I have had this nagging urge to make a pilgrimage there but I keep coming up with excuses not to.
ReplyDeleteAnyway Fr. - I was exactly the same way, but suddenly I was able to read sections relating to the mysteries of the Rosary. I found the excerpts in a book I had on my shelf - not the four volume set. I only read a paragrah or two at a time and then I just stop and think about Our Lady. It's awesome.
Monica - I thought they were one and the same for a long time too. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYour dad was really holy!
If you are one of the few calling out for the presence of God in your life, then you have found the answer to your dreams in the Mystical City of God. These books not only tell the story of Mary’s life, but they provide you with a new understanding of the Catholic faith that lifts you to a higher comprehension of Gods plan for our redemption. I think that is why the Popes have said there is a blessing for those who read these books.
ReplyDeleteIf you are like me, you will find the first book very difficult. I read that book over a twenty year span. At times I felt like I was flying with the angels. The knowledge and awareness of God was such that I could not go on at a faster pace. O Lord how do I deserve this gift of knowledge. I would read a few pages, until I found something noteworthy. If it was very enlightening I would fold the corner of the page over. In time I realized I was folding all the pages. In the second book I switched to a highlighter only to find I was highlighting everything.
Among other things, the first book establishes the credibility the reader will naturally seek. books. One eventually comes to understand that this is indeed a revelation given by Mary to Mary of Jesus for the purpose of facilitating out salvation.
The second book went faster. In the second book I read only a few pages a day. I read with a bible and a dictionary by my side. I stopped reading each day when the experience I had was so profound that I wanted only to savor that knowledge before I went on.
At this point I am half way thru the third book. I got as far as the agony in the garden and the grace and knowledge I have received has not yet been assimilated into my comprehension. I am astounded about this gift. I have started to pray St Bridget’s twelve year prayer for me and my family. I have come to believe that God wants all of us to come to Him. We are all such foolish people in that we fail to understand that most of us are failing in our gratitude for the gifts that had been given to us.