The Venerable Sister Mary of Jesus of Ágreda describes how God sent the Archangel Gabriel to gain Mary's consent and how it differed from the other commands he gave to his angels. The Blessed Virgin Mary tells us that she was not in anyway expecting of suspecting what was about to happen; quite the contrary, she explains, "Remember, I was far from imagining, that the Most High had designed me for the dignity of Mother of God; and this was my state of mind although He had already promised his speedy coming into the world and although He had commanded me to desire after Him with such great affection, that on the day before the execution of this mystery I thought I would die and my heart would burst with loving sighs, if the divine Providence had not comforted me. He dilated my spirit with the firm hope, that the Onlybegotten of the eternal Father would descend from heaven without delay; yet on the other hand, my humility inclined me to fear, lest my presence in the world might perhaps retard his coming. Contemplate then, my beloved, this secret of my breast, and what an example it is for you and for all the mortals."
