Ven. Mary of Agreda, depicted in this statue in San Angelo, Texas, wrote a four-volume account of the Life of Our Lady. (Brian Bodiford/West Texas Angelus)
In one of Father Anthony Ho’s columns he mentioned the book Mystical City Of God, by Maria de Jesus, which was reportedly dictated by Mary to Ven. Mary of Agreda in the 17th century.
I did some research and sure enough, the story of this venerable abbey prioress in Agreda, Spain, was just as Father Ho wrote. The entire biography of the Blessed Virgin Mary is contained in several volumes. The abridged edition I purchased contains 603 pages of the most astounding and supernatural-filled events in her life, totally unknown to the Apostles, including events of her life from the Annunciation to the Visitation, the birth of Jesus, their 50-day voyage through the desert to Egypt, and their return to Nazareth.
According to the book, the Holy Family settled in Heliopolis (Cairo) for seven years, where supernatural events occurred after their arrival. The town where Elizabeth resided with Zachariah is identified as being Juda, which the Gospel writers did not mention by name. During her pregnancy, Mary communicated with the Divinity which shared with her all the secrets of his creation of the universe and much more. Her God-given knowledge was above that of the angels and she became Queen of Heaven, second only to God in power.
None of the wondrous events in this book contradict the Gospels in any way, shape, or form, but expand and explain them.
We have to remember the Gospel writers only wrote about the life and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Their knowledge about the Blessed Virgin was very limited. They would have to wait another thirty years to meet her.
This book should be placed next to the Holy Bible in your library. It complements it.
John A. Bueno
North Vancouver
I want to thank to Father Anthony Ho for his writings about St. Gemma Galgani.
The priest in my home town long ago gave me the name Gemma when I was baptized more than 70 years ago. Yet, I did not know about St. Gemma until I read Father Anthony's writings. I’ve cut the articles out of the paper and am now keeping them separately. I am so happy and grateful to Father.
Gemma Sunwoo
Vancouver
Is there any reason why you would not be able to resume printing Father Tad Pacholczyk’s monthly column on bioethics? He is an amazing ethicist who has spoken many times in Vancouver. His columns are always topical and accessible to the average man or women in the pew.
Cecilia Moore
Vancouver
(Thank you very much for the suggestion. We used to carry Father Tad’s column, however our focus now is on telling local stories for our readers. Fortunately Father Tad makes his columns available for free at ncbcenter.org/publications/making-sense-out-bioethics. – Editor)