Discovery of the work
I first heard of Maria Valtorta's work in the 1980s on a network site and later through a fellow parishioner. My interest was piqued because I had been searching for some form of study of scripture that was informal and not just another catechism class, and designed for a personal pace. When I read an excerpt of "The Gospel as Revealed to Me," I was hooked and quickly bought the five volume set and gradually obtained the Notebooks and additional supporting volumes. They were so engrossing I read them quickly and have since been re-reading them slowly just to savor them. It is always "new."
Impact on love for the Gospel
The volumes have nourished my faith and love for scripture by the vivid portrayals of the gospel. The scenes and explanations not only sharpen the events but bring out such subtleties such as His glances, smiles, reproaches, parts of speech, and silence displaying His true humanity within the hypostatic union. Listening to the Gospel at Mass brightens up as I immediately recall the description shown in the work.
Concrete impact on faith life
The work has brought me the grace of a deeper comprehension in my spiritual life: the Eucharistic sacrifice, the mysteries of the rosary, reconciliation, and a firm hope for eternal life. It's a solace that has kept me less defensive about my faith and at peace with a renewed resolve in its truthful foundation.
What would you say to someone who hesitates to discover this work?
Time and again I encourage others to read just one chapter. Most are daunted, however, by the sheer volume of the work and its details: "Too descriptive of the landscape," "Dialogues are too long," etc.