Discover the experiences shared by our readers
These detailed testimonies reveal the profound impact of Maria Valtorta's work on the spiritual lives of its readers. Each account witnesses the graces received and conversions experienced.
156
testimonies collected
These detailed testimonies have been collected according to a structured methodology, allowing precise documentation of the impact of Maria Valtorta's work on readers' spiritual lives. Each testimony addresses the discovery of the work, its impact on faith, the graces received, and recommendations for other potential readers.
Flavia Nocerani (49 years old)
I discovered her thanks to my beloved father Giovanni, who, after hearing about her from a gentleman from the parish of the Legio Maria who came to visit us, wanted to buy the entire work and then continue with all the other writings. I was about 20 years old, and I was very moved when these books arrived; I felt an indescribable joy in my heart that I shared with my father. Every now and then, I would read passages with him, and then when I started working in a clinic, I would read them to a reading group of an "elderly gentleman." Gradually, I read the entire Work... then also on my own... an immense gift to my life...❤️
It has filled my heart with concrete truth towards the Church, the Gospel, the Sacraments, prayer...
The grace that has come to me is that of feeling strongly true everything that Jesus revealed in the Canonical Gospels in an even more real and vivid way. A feeling of the heart burning during the reading, recognizing the same Jesus of the Gospels made even more familiar, being able to read the words and gestures described by Maria Valtorta in such detailed a way that it seems as if one is present there in that time...
If you who are reading are hesitating, I tell you... welcome... believe... and see... let yourself be carried, open your heart... and the heart will be filled with Him... It is truly Him who reveals Himself to us once more... and fills with Peace.
From Heaven, I continue to perceive the presence that has not been interrupted... that of my dad and Maria Valtorta... A closeness through providential events that connect them and have happened to me... True, delicate, and profound signs that have accompanied and illuminated my life... When I read then... I find them all... my dad in the small, discreet but present signs left among those pages dear to me... Maria Valtorta, humble and faithful... life offered and given that was entirely spent to describe... and Jesus, so alive in His word... so alive in my heart...
silvia caneparo (76 years old)
Waiting for my turn for Latin and Greek recitation... 63 years ago.
I understood that they are alive!!!
Increase in prayer and ability to "savor" the Holy Mass. Test.
Test, test, test!!! Do not stop even if the descriptions (which are beautiful, by the way) bore you. It is, in any case, a literary masterpiece. It enriches you nonetheless!
THE WORK speaks for itself. And also the other writings, the dictations, etc. But first The Gospel... mine is still The Poem of the Man-God edition from the '60s/'70s.
Padre Marco Lusuardi Carmelitano Scalzo (61 years old)
A friend had introduced me to an episode; it had left me doubtful. Later, while at the library of the Seminary of Reggio Emilia, I suddenly felt compelled to search the catalogs to see if the Work was there. I found it, and I borrowed the first volume, and subsequently the following ones. Then I purchased all the volumes, and I also had them purchased by the Municipal Library of Reggio Emilia. The discovery was thrilling. The first time (I was about 23 years old) I read the entire Work in six months. Then I reread it six or seven times in the following years, up to today.
The Gospel helped me discover Jesus and Mary, to better understand their feelings, their way of speaking, their behavior down to the smallest things. It was what I had long desired. Everything interested me, even the details, about the persons of Jesus and Mary. For example, in Volume V, Chapter 359.9: Jesus extends his hand and says, "I accept for the poor. But I do not accept the carriage. I am the Poor among the poor. Do not insist." [...] "Why didn't you take the carriage?" "Because it is good to go on foot." These few words always make me reflect deeply. I add that every time I reread the Work, I always found new insights, new points to delve into and meditate on, new encouragements to intensely practice my Christian, religious, and priestly life. It is a Work that does not age.
The Gospel has made me meditate a lot. I have highlighted numerous passages, and recently I copied them on the computer to reread them often and strive to understand them more and more and put them into practice. The "Notebooks" of Valtorta have also helped me a lot; I invite those who have already read the Gospel to read those as well. Maria Valtorta's Autobiography had disappointed me. I can't define what I expected to read. Perhaps I didn't find anything particularly useful for my faith journey. But in the following years, with each rereading, the exceptional virtues of the Author became increasingly clear to me, virtues that she humbly tried to keep in the background. For example: on page 300 of the III edition, she writes: "I had lunch as usual: a little but with relish." On page 301: "I never ate in the evening." But what strikes me most is her offering herself as a "Victim to God" for the Church and sinners, and her enduring incredible physical pains without complaints and without second thoughts. I am convinced of the heroism of her virtues. I hope that her Beatification Process begins as soon as possible.
Pius XII had said: “Publish this Work as it is; those who read will understand.” Some may be discouraged by the vastness of the Work. I invite them to read at least the X volume, on the Passion and Glorification of the Lord Jesus. Then they will certainly feel the desire to read all the rest. Some are disturbed by the Author's style, very descriptive; but for many, this is an aid to meditation.
When I became a priest, I often used the Work to better understand certain difficult passages of the canonical Gospels and the Old Testament, and to write clearer and more beneficial homilies for the faithful. The Work has also helped me to understand and avoid the theological errors that are widespread in the Church today, so that I can contribute to defending the flock of Christ. I have spoken about the Gospel with more than two thousand faithful (an approximate estimate), recommending the purchase of the Work, which allows even people with little education to receive a very pure and profound doctrinal and spiritual formation. The Gospel continues to be incredibly opposed by various ecclesiastics, even very authoritative ones. I believe that this also involves the action of the evil one, who certainly hates this Work for the great good it does to souls free from prejudice.
Giovanni Maria Ferrari
I was given the complete work.
The writings speak directly to the soul without the intercession of intermediaries.
Daily reading is for me a form of prayer.
Read to believe.
I have noticed how the hypocrisy and superficiality present at the time of Jesus can also be found today. I fully understand Christ's dismay against a belief made up of only convictions layered over time.
GIANCARLO CERUTI (77 years old)
The title of "The Notebooks of 1943" intrigued me. For 12 years the book remained on the shelves and one day, I heard about Maria Valtorta on Radio Maria.
I already knew Jesus, but not so closely and not so humanly true and holy. Those who read will understand...
... prayer, sacraments, Holy Mass every day.
Thank you Don Zucchini, thank you Maria Valtorta.
I read "The Gospel" throughout the year. Often even a few lines have supported me in the daily journey of existence. The words of our Lord sustain you and the words of the Most Holy Mary help you in sustaining your faith...
Anonymous (72 years old)
I discovered the work of Maria Valtorta thanks to a priest (now servant of God) Don Salvatore Vitale, who advised anyone who visited him to read the writings of Maria Valtorta, which at the time was called "The Poem of the Man-God." From then on, I began to read, and chapter after chapter, I read all ten volumes.
I can say that the work of Maria Valtorta has changed my life, my way of thinking and acting, and has strengthened my faith more than any other religious book.
Even though I was already Catholic, it strengthened my faith, my prayer, and my attendance at the sacraments. Reading Valtorta is like seeing in a movie the scenes, the people, the places of the time, the speeches of Jesus, so much so that I told myself if Zeffirelli, before making "Jesus of Nazareth," had read the writings of Maria Valtorta, he would have created an even greater masterpiece than the already very valid one he made.
To buy the first volume and read it or at least to download the app, the rest will be taken care of by the validity of the work because it is inspired by God and not a product of imagination.
I hope that in the future a Catholic director will read all the volumes of Maria Valtorta and produce many episodes to be broadcast on television from the birth of Mary to the death and resurrection of Jesus, so that many people who are unable to read the volumes can reconnect with the Gospels and increase their faith.
Giulia Chiesi (79 years old)
Friends lent me the first volume of the Poem
Christ alive, true, concrete, no other book manages to move me like the Valtortian writings. Subsequently, 35 years ago, I joined the Neocatechumenal Way and my love for the Church has solidified. Everything is a gift from God, the Cross is Salvation.
The daily Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday and every first Friday and first Saturday of the month. Service to the Church as MSC.
I recommend the first volume where I discovered true conjugal love with Anna and Joachim.
These writings reveal the true meaning and value of the Church, made up of men who are also sinners but immensely loved by God incarnate and crucified to show us.
Maria Rosaria (80 years old)
I was given the 1st volume of the Gospel.
The description of the places and events related to the life of Jesus, the dictates of Jesus to Maria Valtorta.
Faith received a concrete impulse for me through the revelation of episodes from the life of Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles, which prompted me to spread them so that more people could know them.
To overcome mistrust and begin reading.
Fundamental was the reading of the 100 pages that are dedicated to the Passion of Jesus and His Resurrection.
Giovanna (75 years old)
Through Radio Maria.
He made it "alive" for me.
Made my faith more concrete.
Try reading a few pages.
Salvatore Posca (56 years old)
After my conversation, which took place 26 years ago, a desire arose in my heart to know Jesus and Mary better. The Holy Spirit led me to purchase the complete work, including the notebooks and epistles. The only thing I had never read was the biography of Maria Valtorta. After 26 years of reading this work, I finally had the grace to order and read the Autobiography. In it, I already felt, even before Jesus dictated the main work to her, the Holy Spirit speaking through Maria Valtorta already in the biography. I thank God for giving me the grace to know the Work.
It filled me with joy in the Holy Spirit. It gives me the grace to speak about the humanity of Jesus and Mary. To make better known the great man that is St. Joseph. It gives me the grace to also speak to priests who do not believe in revelations, but who listen to me willingly. Thank you Maria Valtorta for all the suffering you embraced in your life and that the Lord has spread and continues to spread its fruits.
It has begun to make me entrust myself to the Holy Spirit in my story, but especially in the choices and tribulations that the Lord allows in my life to make me become a spiritual creature.
I would say as Jesus said to John the first time he met him: "Come and see." I try to spread the beauty of this work. In the school (scientific high school) where I work. To the boys/girls, to the teachers, to everyone.
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