Discovery of the work
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.
Impact on faith
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.
Graces received
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.
What would you say to someone hesitating to discover this work?
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.
Additional testimony
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.