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.
240
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.
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.
Gabriele Zolli (68 years old)
I was with my wife in Medjugorje and through our accompanying parish priest, he spoke to us with so much love about the work of Maria Valtorta, and since then I have begun to Love Jesus.
It was a vivid and real presentation of Jesus. Reading the work, it feels like having direct contact with Jesus, and I physically and spiritually feel his teachings.
Return to God. A very painful return to God but ultimately a true and concrete return to God.
To start purchasing the last volume of the Passion of Jesus and to read it, even if tears will flow, then to follow with the 9th and reach the 1st, and after a few years, to start again. As it was my experience. It is inevitable.
It helped me to see Jesus again in a more intimate form. More direct to the heart.
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...
Valentina (47 years old)
A friend gave me the Notebooks and then I purchased and read the entire Work
I felt accompanied by the Lord in the reading, I felt His Presence in my life. I understood better what sin is and I wanted to detach myself from it and truly convert.
Return to the Sacraments, Renewed Love for the Church. Intense prayer and even the desire to consecrate myself to God, which led me to a serious vocational discernment.
As far as I know, it seems that it was also read by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Father Amorth did not deny its usefulness, on the contrary, he said that many people had told him that they had derived good fruits of conversion from it.
Many phrases by Maria Valtorta have remained impressed upon me and internally still guide me in my spiritual life. The Lord has used this Work to speak to me internally on many occasions, and also to uplift me in moments of dryness and discouragement, in which He has internally rekindled the flame of conversion within me.
Massimo Picariello (55 years old)
A lady whom I did not know at all saw me truly sad for several days, noticing me among other people. She approached me, blessed be she, and suggested that I read, to me completely apathetic and never having been a reader, except of light and discouraging readings (and I treated myself well...), the POEM of the MAN-GOD. It was 1992! Now I am a man who prays. I have saved my soul by believing in Christ Jesus, denying myself daily, and with a spirit of self-denial, and small sacrifices and penances! All with the help and in the GRACE of GOD.
Strong, disruptive, I dare say, I saw my own pettiness, in my actions, in the NOTHING that I ordinarily lived for myself and my belly... And, by the Grace of GOD, I had, in my small way, a very strong and determined desire to prove to myself, yes, first and foremost to myself, who I truly was and what I truly desired: To give my spirit Paradise. Eternal Life. That which I yearn for and crave. It is Christ, my eternal happiness, whom I ardently desire and hope in my heart, it won't take too long to return to HIM and possess him for Eternity.
My brothers, Friends in Christ, the greatest Grace was the salvation of my soul. Then daily prayer, from night to evening, daily EUCHARIST. Confession as soon as I feel the "weight" on my conscience, and I must say that for some time now, without any desire to tell you any nonsense, I feel the need to run to the LORD even weekly. But I could still tell you about forgiveness, offered "almost immediately," prayer for those who were "enemies" to me, or even for those who were merely unpleasant to me, concrete help for Brothers in difficulty, whether economic or in prayer. I say none of this out of pride or to make you believe in nonsense. I practice all this daily. Without having any high conception of myself, knowing "what" I was and the disgust I caused. To the praise and Glory of GOD and, hopefully soon, of MARIA VALTORTA also on this earth, as she is now already triumphant in the HEAVENS.
This is truly difficult. One would need to be in contact with the soul you wish to help. As I was approached at the time appointed for me by That Lady. I have purchased almost all the writings of MARIA and I try to circulate them among my Priest Friends and other Acquaintances. A few pages, a few lines are enough for CHRIST. So I immediately begin to hope and pray that that soul allows itself to fall in love.
I owe my salvation, my conversion, and my honest, small but very serious journey in the holiness of daily life, completely and I am absolutely certain of this, to GOD. Then to MARIA VALTORTA, then to the Lady (MARIAGRAZIA)...
Susanna Rosa (72 years old)
By chance, or rather, by the Lord's decision: I came across a post that featured excerpts and I decided to first purchase the Gospel, then the Notebooks and the other works, including the Autobiography.
Reading the Gospel has allowed me to know Jesus more deeply. The Gospels are the Only Revelation, but knowing the context in which the events they report took place made me feel the Lord close, and I truly lived together with Him, with the Most Holy Mary, the Apostles, and all the characters who accompanied Him in His Earthly Journey. And knowing Jesus means loving Him. Prayer, the daily Holy Mass have become necessary for me. And this has led me to pay more attention to the events of my life, so much so that I always find answers to my doubts, comfort, and hope. The Lord has a wonderful imagination: He helps me in ever new ways through readings, homilies, or events, even simple but enlightening ones. And so I know that coincidences do not exist but GOD-INCIDENCES and that we always have His Sweet Presence beside us: we just need to learn to listen to Him.
As I have already said, spirituality has taken a fundamental place in my life and with it a deep serenity, joy, and hope in every situation.
I would recommend trying with one volume: buy the first one and let Jesus do the rest. Reading the complete work in print is the best option, much more so than stopping at reading the posts from the Foundation: not because they are not useful for getting a first idea, but because the Lord Himself, in the work, says that it was meant to be read in its entirety. And you will be won over by the Lord.
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.
Antonio D'Agnanno (63 years old)
Through a university classmate of mine, as a young man, 40 years ago.
The books of Valtorta lead me to the reading of the Gospels, and vice versa, incessantly.
As a boy, I was an atheist. Reading Valtorta was central and fundamental to my conversion. The more I read, the more I believed. And since then, I have never stopped.
Read to believe. As it was for me.
Even now I don't miss an opportunity to return to the texts of Maria Valtorta. Not only on paper but also by listening on YouTube videos.
Your testimony can encourage other people to discover Maria Valtorta's work and contribute to the ecclesiastical study of this important case.
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