Where did Mary the Mother of Jesus live out her life?
The final mention of the Mother of Jesus, Mary is in the Acts of the Apostles 1: 14. There is no longer any mention of Mary apart from Revelation 12. However, there is much more to learn from The Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda into the life of Mary following the descending of the Holy Spirit.
The life of the Mother of Jesus, Mary is a mystery, however approved private revelations provide insights. These revelations especially those written in the Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda never contradict the Scriptures, in fact they add more weight to them. Mary was very influential in the growth of the early Church and her counsel was sought by the Apostles especially Peter. Volume Four – The Coronation describes Mary’s role, Heavenly inspiration into the Apostles Creed and the writing of the Gospel, her Assumption, Coronation and more.
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Jesus had Ascended into Heaven to be seated at the right-hand of the Father. Mary was privileged with the Beatific Vision for Three Days after the Ascension, returning on the Sunday following the Ascension. During this time, Mary, with permission from the Apostles Peter and John, taught all present in the cenacle mental prayer as an essential and necessary means of prayer in raising one’s mind, heart, soul and knowledge and understanding to God. This mental prayer would aid them in perfecting the mission they were about to fulfill with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the prayers and intercession of Mary.
Was Mary, the Mother of Jesus present when the Holy Spirit descended?
As is written by the Evangelist Luke in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1: 14:
“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Mary was certainly present amongst the eleven Apostles and the total of 120 followers of Jesus, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
What role did Mary play in the growth of the early Church?
When the Holy Spirit filled those present with the gifts that enabled their mission, the Apostles would often seek the counsel, teaching and support of the Blessed Mother on many instances especially on Baptism, the offering of and consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus, which would be offered by Peter as the head of the Church; and the observance of strict poverty; amongst other matters.
In her humility and respect for the authority handed to Peter and the Apostles, Mary listened, learned, and quieted Herself in their presence, however, they sought her guidance to which she always obliged.
During her time living amongst the Apostles, Mary was given power to cast into Hell and control any influence the Devil and his demons had on the Apostles, the followers of Jesus and those who may have been possessed by Demons. In one instance, Our Blessed Mother, came to the assistance of a woman who was tormented by demons. Our Lady drove them away and they immediately obeyed the Queen of Heaven. The woman was healed!
The Apostles often sought the counsel and intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, on one instance, Peter wrote to Mary in Ephesus requesting her presence to resolve a dispute that had arisen in Jerusalem.
There wasn’t a need that Mary would not attend to.
In addition to casting out Demons, Mary cured those stricken by ailments and many miracles. Through the many Graces that God had given Mary, she was able to achieve God’s Will on earth. Can you just reflect on how much more Our Blessed Mother is able to secure for those who seek her counsel, intercession, and intervention?
The Apostles did, why would it be so demeaning that we cannot?
Many are missing out on Our Lady’s help and assistance in our spiritual battle… Get to knowing your Mother, She is waiting?
Now back to our insight into Mary.
Mary aided at the martyrdoms of the Archdeacon Stephen and James the Greater, the cousin of Mary. James died on 25 March, 41 AD in Spain.
The Almighty and Her Son Jesus, showed Mary the coming ages, the many saints and Church liturgical and devotional practices that would be instituted for the faithful, in fact Mary practiced and celebrated many of these liturgical feast days of the Church. These included:
- the Passion of Her Son.
- Institution of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Her Immaculate Conception.
- the Nativity.
- Visit of the Magi.
Her Purification and Presentation at the Temple; and many others.
Mary practiced humble genuflections, prostrations, prayer, reception of the Holy Eucharist and more.
Towards the end of her physical time of earth, Mary ate very little.
The Angel Gabriel, as he did at the Annunciation, was sent to inform the Mother of the Saviour that Her pilgrimage and banishment from the earth would be three years from this day.
In her humility, Mary answered as she did at the Annunciation,
“Be it done unto me according to Thy word”.
At the time of this announcement Mary was sixty-seven years of age.
How was the consecrated bread and wine received during the Apostolic age?
Early on, whilst the Apostles were alive and active it was ordained that the reception of the Body (bread) and Blood (wine) of Jesus be received in the one species i.e., the Body (bread). However only the few and the Priests would receive under both species. It was not the practice to offer under both species to the general congregation of worshippers.
Who wrote the Four Gospels and in what order?
Along with Heavenly inspiration, Mary foresaw and directed the Gospel writers
The Mother of Jesus’ wisdom was sought into the writing on the life of the Saviour. Mary was given graces and fore-knowledge into the Gospel writers. Therefore, through prayer and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a light was seen descending upon Peter and a voice was heard saying:
“The high priest and head of the Church shall assign four for recording the works and the teachings of the Saviour of the world.”
Upon hearing these words, Peter and all present prostrated themselves, giving thanks to the Lord for this favour. When all of them had again risen, Peter spoke and assigned the writers to be in the following order:
“Matthew our beloved brother, shall immediately begin to write his Gospel in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Mark shall be the second, who shall likewise write the Gospel in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Luke shall write the third, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Our most beloved brother John shall be the fourth and last to write the mysteries of our Saviour and Teacher in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.”
This decision the Lord confirmed by permitting the heavenly light to remain until these words were repeated and formally accepted by all those appointed.
Within a few days Matthew set about writing the first Gospel. While praying in a retired room of the Cenacle and asking to be enlightened for the inception of his history, the most blessed Mary appeared and spoke to Matthew saying:
“Matthew, my servant, the Almighty sends me with his blessing, in that with it thou begin the writing of the Gospel thou hast the good fortune to be entrusted with, thou shalt have the assistance of the Holy Ghost and I shall beg it for thee with all my heart.
But concerning myself it is not proper, that thou write anything except what is absolutely necessary for manifesting the Incarnation and other mysteries of the Word made man, for establishing his faith in the world as the foundation of his Church.
This faith being established, the Almighty will find other persons, who, when the times arrive in which it shall become necessary, shall reveal to the faithful the mysteries and blessings wrought by his powerful arm in me.”
The blessed Mary then left him and saint Matthew proceeded in his history, finishing it in Judea. He wrote it in the Hebrew language in the year forty-two of our Lord.
The Evangelist Mark wrote his gospel four years later, in the forty-sixth year after the birth of Christ. He likewise wrote it in Hebrew and while in Palestine.
Two years afterwards, in the year forty-eight A.D Luke wrote his Gospel in the Greek language.
The last of the four Evangelists who wrote the Gospels, was the apostle John in the year fifty-eight A.D. He wrote his in the Greek language, during his stay in Asia Minor after the glorious transition and assumption of the most blessed Mary. His Gospel was directed against the heresies and errors, which, the devil immediately after the transition of the Virgin Mother began to sow for undermining the faith in the Incarnation of the divine Word. The Blessed Mother appeared and inspired each of the Gospel writers to write on the Saviour and that her role was to be minimal.
How did the Apostles Creed come about?
The Apostles Creed was directly written by the Apostles and the Mother of Jesus, through Heavenly graces and inspiration asked each of the Apostles to define a mystery, according as the divine Spirit should inspire them.
Mary inspires the Apostles to write the Apostles Creed
(Taken from Mariso, Fiscar (1902), The Mystical City of God: The Coronation by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Volume IV, page 211-212).
Peter as head, commenced and the other Apostles followed as set out below:
1. Saint Peter: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
2. Saint Andrew : And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3 and 4. Saint James the Greater: Who was conceived through operation of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.
5. Saint John: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
6 and 7. Saint Thomas: Descended into hell, arose from the dead on the third day.
8. Saint James the Less: Ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
9. Saint Philip: From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
10. Saint Bartholomew: I believe in the Holy Ghost.
11. Saint Matthew: In the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of saints.
12. Saint Simon: Forgiveness of sins.
13. Saint Thaddeus: The resurrection of the flesh. 14. Saint Mathias: Life everlasting. Amen.
Mary inspires Priestly Vestments
For the celebration and offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Mother provided the inspiration that the Apostles and priests be clothed in ornate and mysterious vestments, different from those they wore in ordinary life.
Accordingly, with her own hands, She provided ornaments and sacerdotal vestments for its celebration, thus originating the ceremonious observances in the Church.
Mary made them of linen and rich silks, purchased with the alms and presents.
The Mother of Jesus had been instructed to help guide and direct the early Church and her influence in assisting the Gospel writers and the development of the Apostles Creed is inspirational and remains with the Catholic Church till today.
Did Mary travel and live in Ephesus?
The writings of Venerable Mary of Agreda attest to the fact that Mary travelled with the Apostle John to Ephesus. In the year forty A.D. John had instructed Mart that they would journey and reside in Ephesus. Through great humility and obedience, without question, answer, nor delay, Mary after kneeling and seeking permission from the Lord to leave the Cenacle and Jerusalem, proceeded to take leave of the owner of the house and its inhabitants and travelled to Ephesus with John.
How did Mary die?
(Taken from Mariso, Fiscar (1902), The Mystical City of God: The Coronation by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Volume IV, page 620-668).
The Apostles were sent word that the time had arrived for the Blessed Virgin Mary and Mother of Jesus to leave the world and enter Heavenly Glory. The Apostles, upon hearing the news, commenced their journey to the Cenacle in Jerusalem, where Mary and John had returned from their time in Ephesus. Some of the Apostles were miraculously transported to Mary’s side by the Angles.
The first to arrive was Peter, who was transported from Rome by the hands of an angel. Once they had all arrived, they were overcome with grief, knowing that the Mother they had come to call their own, would soon leave their side. Peter, as the head of the Church spoke the following words and would be interrupted with his own grief and tears. He said:
“My dearest children and brethren, the Lord has called and brought us to Jerusalem from remote regions not without a cause most urgent and sorrowful to us.
The Most High wishes now to raise up to the throne of eternal glory his most blessed Mother, our Mistress, our consolation and protection. His divine decree is that we all be present at her most happy and glorious Transition.
When our Master and Redeemer ascended to the right hand of his Father, although He left us orphaned of his most delightful presence, we still retained his most blessed Mother and our light now leaves us what shall we do?
What help or hope have we to encourage us on our pilgrimage? I find none except the hope that we all shall follow Her in due time.”
He added:
“My children, let us seek the presence of our Mother and Lady. Let us spend the time left of her life in her company and ask Her to bless us.”
Upon Mary’s final moments, Mary looked radiant, her natural condition and appearance of her sacred and virginal body were the same as at her thirty-third year. It was not affected by the passing years, showing no signs of age, no wrinkles in her face or body, nor giving signs of weakening or fading, as in other children of Adam, who gradually fall away and drop from the natural perfection of early man or womanhood.
With the permission of Peter, Mary left the couch and, kneeling before the Apostle, said to him:
“My lord, I beseech thee, as the universal pastor and head of the holy Church, to give me thy blessing in thy own and in its name. Pardon me thy handmaid for the smallness of the service I have rendered in my life.
Grant that John dispose of my vestments, giving them to the two poor maidens, who have always obliged me by their charity.”
Mary prostrated Herself and kissed the feet of Peter as the vicar of Christ, by her abundant tears eliciting not less the admiration than the tears of the Apostle and of all the bystanders.
From Peter, Mary went to John, kneeling likewise at his feet, said:
“Pardon, my son and my master, my not having fulfilled toward thee the duties of a Mother as I ought and as the Lord had commanded me, when from the Cross He appointed thee as my son and me as thy mother.
I humbly and from my heart thank thee for the kindness which thou hast shown me as a son. Give me thy benediction for entering the vision and company of Him who created me.”
Mary proceeded to each of the Apostles and then spoke to the entire assembly.
“Dearest children and my masters, always have I kept you in my soul and written in my heart. I have loved you with that tender love and charity, which was given to me by my divine Son, whom I have seen in you, his chosen friends.
In obedience to his holy and eternal will, I now go to the eternal mansions, where I promise you as a Mother I will look upon you by the clearest light of the Divinity, the vision of which my soul hopes and desires in security. I commend unto you my mother, the Church, the exaltation of the name of the Most High, the spread of the evangelical law, the honor and veneration for the words of my divine Son, the memory of his Passion and Death, the practice of his doctrine.
My children, love the Church, and love one another with that bond of charity which your Master has always inculcated upon you. To thee, Peter, holy Pontiff, I commend my son John and all the rest.”
These sweet words like arrows of a divine fire, penetrated the hearts of all the Apostles and hearers, all of them were dissolved in streams of tears and, seized with irreparable sorrow, cast themselves upon the ground with sighs and groans sufficient to move to compassion the very earth.
All of them wept, and with them wept also the sweetest Mary.
During this quietness the incarnate Word descended from heaven on a throne of ineffable glory, accompanied by all the saints and innumerable angels, and the house of the Cenacle was filled with glory.
The most blessed Mary adored the Lord and kissed his feet. Prostrate before Him She made the last and most profound act faith and humility in her mortal life.
Her divine Son gave Her His blessing and in the presence of the courtiers of heaven spoke to Her these words:
“My dearest Mother, whom I have chosen for my dwelling-place, the hour is come in which thou art to pass from the life of this death and of the world into the glory of my Father and Mine, where thou shalt possess the throne prepared for thee at my right hand and enjoy it through all eternity.
And since, by my power and as my Mother have caused thee to enter the world free and exempt from sin, therefore also death shall have no right or permission to touch thee at thy exit from this world.
If thou wishest not to pass through it come with Me now to partake of my glory, which thou hast merited.”
The most prudent Mother prostrated Herself at the feet of her Son and with a joyous countenance answered:
“My Son and my Lord, I beseech Thee let thy mother and thy servant enter into eternal life by the common portal of natural death, like the other children of Adam. Thou, who art my true God, hast suffered death without being obliged to do so; it is proper that as I have followed Thee in life, so I follow Thee also in death.’’
Christ the Savior approved of the decision and the sacrifice of his most blessed Mother, and consented to its fulfillment.
The most blessed Mary reclined back upon her couch or bed. Her tunic was folded about her sacred body, her hands joined and her eyes fixed upon her divine Son, and She was entirely inflamed with the fire of divine love.
And as the angels intoned those verses of the second of the Canticles: “Surge, propera, amica mea,” that is to say:
“Arise, haste, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come, the winter has passed,” etc.,
She pronounced those words of her Son on the Cross:
“Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Then She closed her virginal eyes and expired. Then this most pure Soul passed from her virginal body to be placed in boundless glory, on the throne at the right hand of her divine Son.
This glorious Transition of the great Queen took place in the hour in which her divine Son had died, at three o’clock on a Friday, the thirteenth day of August, 69 years, 11 months, 5 or 6 days.
The most beautiful and Virginal Body of May was taken in ceremony by the Apostles to the Sepulchre. Having laid Mary’s Body in the holy sepulchre in the valley of Josaphat, the Apostles, Peter and John, sealed it with a large stone. A thousand angels of the Queen continued their watch, guarding the sacred body and keeping up the music as at her burial.
How did the Assumption of Mary take place?
The Glorious Assumption is described by Venerable Mary of Agreda in the following way:
The Lord had manifested to the saints His divine will, that Mary should return to the world, resuscitate her sacred body and unite Herself with Her Most Pure Soul. Mary would be united with her body and soul.
Going to the sepulchre in the valley of Josaphat, and all being gathered in sight of the virginal temple, the Lord spoke the following words to the saints.
“My Mother was conceived without stain of sin, in order that from Her virginal substance I might stainlessly clothe Myself in the humanity in which I came to the world and redeemed it from sin.
My flesh is her flesh; She co-operated with Me in the works of the Redemption; hence I must raise Her, just as I rose from the dead, and this shall be at the same time and hour. For I wish to make Her like Me in all things.”
Through the power of Her Son, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the most blessed Mary issued from the tomb in body and soul, without raising the stone cover and without disturbing the position of the tunic and the mantle that had enveloped her sacred body.
This happened in the hour immediately after midnight, which also the Lord had risen from the grave; and therefore not all of the Apostles were witness of this prodigy, but only some of them, who were present and watching at the sepulchre.
The saints and angels entered in the order in which they had started; and in the last place came Christ our Savior and at his right hand the Queen, clothed in the gold of variety, and so beautiful that She was the admiration of the heavenly court.
All of them turned toward Her to look upon Her and bless Her with new jubilee and songs of praise.
Amid this glory the most blessed Mary arrived body and soul at the throne of the most blessed Trinity. And the three divine Persons received Her on it with an embrace eternally indissoluble.
The eternal Father said:
“Ascend higher, my Daughter and my Dove.”
The incarnate Word spoke:
“My Mother, of whom I received human being and full return of my work in thy perfect imitation, receive now from my hand the reward thou hast merited.”
The Holy Ghost said:
“My most beloved Spouse, enter into the eternal joy, which corresponds to the most faithful love; do Thou now enjoy thy love without solicitude; for past is the winter of suffering for Thou hast arrived at our eternal embraces.”
After placing the most blessed Mary on this exalted and supereminent throne, the Lord declared to the courtiers of heaven all the privileges She should enjoy in virtue of this participation in his majesty.
How did the Coronation of the Mother of Jesus take place?
Mary had triumphantly entered Body and Soul into Heaven and handed many privileges, hence she would be Crowned Queen of All. The Holy Trinity expressed this Glorious honor in the following way:
The Person of the eternal Father, as the first principle of all things, speaking to the angels and saints, said to them:
“Our Daughter Mary was chosen according to our pleasure from amongst all creatures, the first one to delight Us, and who never fell from the title and position of a Daughter, such as We had given Her in our divine mind; She has a claim on our dominion, which We shall recognize by crowning Her as the legitimate and peerless Lady and Sovereign.”
The incarnate Word said:
“To my true and natural Mother belong all the creatures which were created and redeemed by Me; and of all things over which I am King, She too shall be the legitimate and supreme Queen.”
The Holy Ghost said:
“Since She is called my beloved and chosen Spouse, She deserves to be crowned as Queen for all eternity.”
Having thus spoken the three divine Persons placed upon the head of the most blessed Mary a crown of such new splendor and value, that the like has been seen neither before nor after by any mere creature.
At the same time a voice sounded from the throne saying:
“My Beloved, chosen among the creatures, our kingdom is Thine; Thou shalt be the Lady and the Sovereign of the seraphim, of all the ministering spirits, the angels and of the entire universe of creatures.
Attend, proceed and govern prosperously over them, for in our supreme consistory We give Thee power, majesty and sovereignty.
Being filled with grace beyond all the rest, Thou hast humiliated Thyself in thy own estimation to the lowest place; receive now the supreme dignity deserved by Thee and, as a participation in our Divinity, the dominion over all the creatures of our Omnipotence.
From thy royal throne to the centre of the earth Thou shalt reign; and by the power We now give Thee Thou shalt subject hell with all its demons and inhabitants. Let all of them fear Thee as the supreme Empress and Mistress of those caverns and dwelling-places of our enemies.
In thy hands and at thy pleasure We place the influences and forces of the heavens, the moisture of the clouds, the growths of the earth; and of all of them do Thou distribute according to thy will, and our own will shall be at thy disposal for the execution of thy wishes.
Thou shalt be the Empress and Mistress of the militant Church, its Protectress, its Advocate, its Mother and Teacher. Thou shalt be the special Patroness of the Catholic countries; and whenever they, or the faithful, or any of the children of Adam call upon Thee from their heart, serve or oblige Thee, Thou shalt relieve and help them in their labors and necessities.
Thou shalt be the Friend, the Defender and the Chieftainess of all the just and of our friends; all of them Thou shalt comfort, console and fill with blessings according to their devotion to Thee.
In view of all this We make Thee the Depositary of our riches, the Treasurer of our goods; we place into thy hands the helps and blessings of our grace for distribution; nothing do We wish to be given to the world, which does not pass through thy hands; and nothing do We deny, which Thou wishest to concede to men.
Grace shall be diffused in thy lips for obtaining all that Thou wishest and ordainest in heaven and on earth, and everywhere shall angels and men obey Thee; because whatever is ours shall be thine, just as Thou hast always been ours; and Thou shalt reign with Us forever.”
In summary, the Holy Trinity granted Venerable Mary of Agreda a great and honourable insight into the life of the Queen of Heaven. This article, along with the three previous articles (link here), do not do justice to the immense insight that one reads in the writings of Venerable Mary of Agreda. It is therefore my highest recommendation that the Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agrea (Four Volume Set) be read, reflected and accompany you on your spiritual journey. There is no content that causes scandal to one’s faith, on the contrary, the writings edify and assist one to grow in love for the Holy Mothe, as the Holy Trinity.
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God be with you.