Discovery of the work
It's been over a decade since I began engaging on online discussion boards, where I encountered many lost and misguided souls. I wanted to better answer their questions about Christian core beliefs and doctrines, Gospel scenes, as well as address heresies (e.g., Antidicomarianism, reincarnation). Therefore, my mother recommended The Poem of the Man-God, which she knew of through her own mother; both are long-time devout Catholics and advocates of this Work. I read it, and since then I've researched Maria Valtorta further, discovered her other God-Authored Works as well, and re-read and advocated for them all.
Impact on love for the Gospel
The Poem of the Man-God is an illumination of the Gospel, because it is a more in-depth look into, and an intimate understanding of, Jesus's mortal days, where He is made greater in His humility, which is substantial nourishment for us to teach us to be humble and like Him, a man like us, who bore the perfection of a God. Furthermore, in it, the lives of other characters are made more known as well, such as Joseph and Mary of Nazareth, Mary the Magdalene, apostles Peter and Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees and scribes, and countless others. Their journeys, weaknesses, strengths, failures, and victories are shown in greater detail, serving for us as lessons to be better understood and applied. Lastly, as I read the Work, I experience narrative transportation. These are just a few brief reasons that contribute to my having lived, in a way, with Jesus and His companions, and to coming to know them more personally through their times of holy joys, comforts, sorrows, and sufferings, all of which ever fortify my increasing desire to love Him by living and sharing the Gospel.
Concrete impact on faith life
In reading the Work, I find that I've been increasingly regular at integrating God into my day-to-day life in the following ways: reading the Gospel, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, practicing spiritual and corporal acts of mercy, being vigilant of and deliberate in my desires, thoughts, words, actions/deeds, and emotions/feelings, being cognizant of how they can affect my soul and eternal destiny, as well as influence the spiritual journeys of others, and offering more sacrifices and expressing thankfulness to God throughout the day. Furthermore, it has increased my God-given fortitude so that, when I stumble in my humanness, I may more readily resist unholy fear, despair, and hopelessness, and rather run to Him with sincere repentance, trust, humility, and much love, as well as first give others the opportunity to do the same when they sin against themselves or another, rather than judge and condemn them, because faith in God is a responsibility. These are just a few examples of concrete Graces that this Work of God has brought to my spiritual life.
What would you say to someone who hesitates to discover this work?
The four Gospels are essential and sufficiently describe Jesus—the minimum necessary for bringing one to belief and salvation—but it's not a complete knowledge of Him (Jn. 21:25), and His Mother is little known, etc. There's more helpful knowledge to learn and understand. To the little sheep seeking to become acquainted with their Shepherd, Jesus, Maria Valtorta is the staff leading you to Him.
Additional testimony
Like others, I have and will continue to share the God-Authored Works by Maria Valtorta with others, especially priests, in the hope that they too will recognize the Voice of our living, loving, and interactive God, as well as the voices of other heavenly persons, such as the Blessed Virgin Mary, apostles Peter, John, and Paul, and others.