Mary, from 18-moths to her 3rd Birthday - The Conception - Bk 1 - Ch 25

In the final chapter of book 1, the Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda gives us the details of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life from the age of 18-months until she was 3 (when she was consecrated to God at the temple in Jerusalem). The child Mary was very apprehensive about speaking to people because she saw how dangerous it could be. She also had a great love of humility, service, and love at this tender young age. In the counseling at the end of the chapter, in the Virgin Mary’s own words, she reminds us and cautions us as a loving mother. "My dearest daughter, keep in mind, that all the living are born destined for death, but ignorant of the time allowed them; however this they know for certain, that the term of life is short, that eternity is without end, and that in this life they can only harvest what will yield life or death eternal. In this dangerous pilgrimage of life God has ordained, that no one shall know for certain, whether he is worthy (Ecclesiastes 9:1) of his love or hate; for if he uses his reason rightly, this uncertainty will urge him to seek with all his powers the friendship of that same Lord."

She continues, "But if man neglects to rise above his low desires and his forgetfulness, he yields to the enemy of God and man. The more he alienates himself from the goodness of God, so much the more unworthy does he become of the secret callings of the Most High, and so much the less does he appreciate his assistance, though it is great. For the demon and the passions have obtained a greater dominion and power over his intellect and have made him more unfit and more incapable of the grace of the Almighty. Thereon, my dear daughter rests the whole salvation or condemnation of souls, that is, in commencing to admit or resist the advances of the Lord. I desire you not to forget this doctrine, so that you may respond to the many calls which you receive of the Most High."