Discovery of the work
In 1999 while doing my Master's degree, I went to our Mother House but had an attack of malaria. I was on medication and couldn't sleep. So I went to get a boring book to help me sleep. I found a thick one with the word ‘Poem’. In less than a page, I fell asleep. In mid-1999, I went to Tanzania for a research program for three months. While there, I met a devout Catholic man who told me about Valtorta's books and he insisted I get them. Back in Zambia, my friend Maria told me about Valtorta. I went and found that 'boring Poem' at the back of my locker. These three things led me to Valtorta.
Impact on love for the Gospel
I felt a real thirst. I recall how my life felt so empty after finishing one volume. I felt something missing. The more I read, the more my spiritual life completely changed because Jesus took control of everything, He became so meaningful and close. I felt my studies meant nothing without Jesus. I graduated from the school of Jesus rather than from the school of natural sciences. I was on a higher plane with regard to my religious and Christian life. I was very prayerful and aglow with the spirit. Through the writings, I came to love the name of Jesus and I don’t tire talking about the people and events. In 2000, I was elected as a councilor in the leadership team of my congregation. Our then Apostolic Vicar for Religious who was my spiritual director and now a bishop congratulated me saying, “You see? This is where Maria Valtorta has led you, so be ready for challenges.” This was like a prophesy.
Concrete impact on faith life
In 2016, I became the Superior General of my congregation. It has been the most turbulent of my human life. I believe the Faith, which the reading of Maria Vartorta’s writings instilled in me, has kept me sane! There are many inspiring words in the writings of Maria Valtorta which I have amassed and use for my meditation and counsel. They speak to me very profoundly because it is Jesus, Mary and the Apostles speaking to me directly.
What would you say to someone who hesitates to discover this work?
They are to be shared - I took the five volumes back with me to the University where I shared them with other devout students and friends.
Additional testimony
These are my memorable experiences of how deeply the Valtorta works have affected people who open their hearts. When my late elder sister she read the passion and death of Our Lord, she could not contain herself. She could not sit still but started going round the house just to get rid of her emotions. Before my sister died (much later), after being acquainted with Vartorta’s works, she looked forward to dying to meet the Man-God. Another experience was that of a teacher who was dying. I used to go to him to read the Poem of the Man God during his sickness. Each time I arrived with the volume, the sick man would sit up, weak as he was, to give glory and praise to God who he said had spoken to him more than ever in his life. The teacher cried tears of joy for having encountered God just before his death. The man died happily having received the gift, as he put it, of hearing the voice of God. These two experiences left a deep impression on my life and I always wished many people would open-handedly and open-heartedly receive the Work of Maria Valtorta and not miss something great.