Discovery of the work
A non-Catholic friend told me about it as we traveled home from a meeting about the Virgin Mary. She had only just begun reading it, and we were able to continue reading it together for the next few years. We met once a week to discuss it and to pray the Rosary. My friend later entered the Catholic Church and has been a strong Catholic since. I absolutely loved Maria's work, and I treated it as my exciting reward to read in the evenings after busy family days.
Impact on love for the Gospel
It strengthened my faith and was like a continual conversion, as it helped me understand the Gospels more. Maria's writings filled in gaps in the Gospels for me. It was like coloring in black-and-white Gospel pictures, and all became alive. It certainly helped me to know Jesus and to see how perfect He is; hence, I continually fell in love with Him more and more. It also helped me see, know, and love Blessed Mary, and helped me know and understand the Apostles, and laugh and cry along with them.
Concrete impact on faith life
It has helped me pray more sincerely. The Mass and Confession became more meaningful. Jesus became a strong Friend during my daily life activities. At the time of discovering these writings, I was feeling quite disillusioned with the Church, so I do wonder where I would now be if I hadn't started reading these wonderful writings. I am so grateful to God for pointing me towards them.
What would you say to someone who hesitates to discover this work?
The only way to know if you believe it or not is to read it. In 1948, Pope Pius XII said, "Publish this work as it is. Those who read it will understand." That is so true. If you want to understand the Gospels more, read Maria's writings, and they will help the Gospels come alive for you.